8 months ago
UK-India Trade Ties Strengthen with FTA Growth
The UK trade commissioner for South Asia, Harjinder Kang, is visiting Calcutta on December 10 and 11 to meet with important business leaders and celebrate the signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) between the UK and India.
The FTA, signed on July 24, is expected to boost trade and create jobs in both countries.
Kolkata is seen as a key city for UK businesses looking to expand in East and Northeast India.
Meanwhile, UK companies in India have expanded their footprint with a collective turnover of ₹5,693 billion and a workforce of 552,902 employees over the past year.
There are now 794 UK-owned or controlled companies operating in India, up from 667 last year.
The top sectors for these companies include business services, industrial products, financial services, technology, and energy & natural resources.
Maharashtra and Delhi NCR are the most significant hubs for UK companies, and 58% of UK firms in India are classified as MSMEs.
The FTA is expected to unlock new opportunities across advanced manufacturing, clean energy, digital trade, and emerging technologies, driving growth, jobs, and sustainability for both economies.
UK trade commissioner Harjinder Kang visits Calcutta on December 10 and 11 to engage with industry stakeholders and reinforce trade ties.
Celebration of the UK-India FTA signing with industry leaders, expected to drive significant growth and support jobs in both countries.
Kolkata highlighted as a strategic hub for UK businesses in East and Northeast India.
UK companies in India have expanded their footprint with a collective turnover of ₹5,693 billion and a workforce of 552,902 employees over the past year.
There are now 794 UK-owned or controlled companies operating in India, up from 667 last year, with business services, industrial products, financial services, technology, and energy & natural resources as top sectors.
- Who
- Harjinder Kang, UK trade commissioner for South Asia, and UK companies in India
- What
- Visit to Calcutta for trade talks and FTA celebration, and expansion of UK companies in India
- Where
- Calcutta, India, and across India
- When
- December 10 and 11, and past year
- Why
- To engage with industry stakeholders, reinforce trade ties, and tap into new growth unlocked by the FTA
Key facts
- Visitor
- Harjinder Kang, UK trade commissioner for South Asia
- Visit Dates
- December 10 and 11
- Purpose
- Engage with industry stakeholders and reinforce trade ties
- Event
- Reception to celebrate UK-India FTA signing
- FTA Signing Date
- July 24
- UK Companies in India
- 794
- UK Companies Turnover
- ₹5,693 billion
- UK Companies Employees
- 552,902
- Growth Tracker Companies
- 146
- Average Growth Rate
- 49%
- Top Sectors
- Business services, industrial products, financial services, technology, energy & natural resources
- Major Hubs
- Maharashtra and Delhi NCR
- UK Companies as MSMEs
- 58%
- India's GCC Sector Revenue
- 64.6 billion dollars
- Largest UK Company in India
- Vedanta Limited
- BII Portfolio in India
- 2.2 billion dollars
Quotes
Pallavi Bakhru
Partner and head of the India-UK Corridor at Grant Thornton Bharat
“The India-UK corridor is entering a pivotal phase of scale, innovation and partnership.”
freepressjournal.in
“With 794 UK companies now operating in India and strong representation in high-growth sectors, the BMI 2025 findings reflect deepening economic engagement. The signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement will unlock new opportunities across advanced manufacturing, clean energy, digital trade and emerging technologies, driving growth, jobs and sustainability for both economies.”
freepressjournal.in
Chandrajit Banerjee
Director-general of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
“The formalisation of the FTA marks a significant step forward, bringing together the UK's expertise and India's scale to create globally competitive hubs across emerging sectors, including AI, FinTech, critical minerals processing, aerospace, defence, and biotechnology.”
freepressjournal.in
“Harmonised regulatory frameworks in healthcare and digital technologies can reduce duplication, lower costs and enable greater MSME participation from both countries. With sustained innovation, investment and partnership, India and the UK can jointly develop solutions of global relevance.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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