Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Jonathan Reynolds Backs Northern Trade Mission to India
A group of nearly 200 people from northern England is going to India from October 12 to 16.
The group includes business, university, sports, tourism and cultural representatives.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has backed the trip, which is led by mayor Kim McGuinness.
They want to find Indian businesses willing to invest and work with companies in the North.
They also hope more people from India will visit northern England.
Universities and other institutions will look for ways to work together.
The UK-India trade agreement began operating on July 15 and reduces tariffs on many goods.
A government estimate says it could bring about £450 million a year to the northern economy in the long run, but companies still need to find partners and win business.
A nearly 200-member Great North trade mission will visit India from October 12 to 16.
The mission is chaired by North East mayor Kim McGuinness and backed by Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.
It is the first major UK trade visit to India since the trade agreement took effect on July 15.
The mission aims to attract Indian investment and visitors, win contracts, and build institutional partnerships.
Government analysis estimates the agreement could add about £450 million annually to northern England's economy in the long run.
- Who
- Nearly 200 representatives from northern England, led by North East mayor Kim McGuinness, with backing from Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.
- What
- A trade mission to promote investment, contracts, tourism and institutional partnerships between northern England and India.
- When
- October 12 to 16; the trade agreement took effect on July 15.
- Where
- India, with participants representing northern England.
- Why
- To turn the UK-India trade agreement into commercial opportunities, investment, visitors and lasting partnerships for the North.
Opportunity
Caution
Expected benefits of the trade deal
Opportunity
Reynolds and McGuinness present the mission as a way to pursue new investment, contracts, visitors and partnerships, while government analysis estimates a long-run £450 million annual boost for the North.
Caution
The article notes that the estimated northern boost is modest beside roughly £48 billion in annual UK-India trade, and that the agreement does not automatically deliver benefits.
Turning access into business
Opportunity
Mission partners aim to use the agreement's momentum to build commercial, investment and institutional relationships.
Caution
Trade experts say firms must understand the rules, find partners and win contracts to benefit.
- Mission dates
- October 12–16
- Delegation size
- Nearly 200 representatives
- Mission chair
- Kim McGuinness, North East mayor
- Trade agreement
- UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, in force from July 15
- Estimated northern economic impact
- About £450 million per year in the long run
- Regional estimate
- £210 million for the North West, £170 million for Yorkshire and the Humber, and £70 million for the North East
- Partnerships
- Delivered with HSBC, with the UK India Business Council as strategic partner
- UK-India trade
- About £48 billion a year