Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Swinney Leads Scottish Exporters to India After Trade Deal
John Swinney is taking Scottish businesses and universities to India.
The trip will visit Delhi, Ahmedabad and Mumbai from October 20 to 27.
Scotland hopes a new trade agreement between the United Kingdom and India will help its companies sell more products.
Whisky makers are especially interested because India is described as the world’s largest whisky market.
Salmon producers also want to find new customers there.
The delegation will discuss food, drinks, clean energy, education, tourism, culture and space.
Business groups have already been building connections between Scotland and India.
The Scottish Government says the visit should turn those relationships into real business opportunities.
An analysis suggests the agreement could create more than £3 billion in opportunities for Scotland’s priority sectors by 2030.
First Minister John Swinney will lead a Scottish trade delegation to Delhi, Ahmedabad and Mumbai from October 20 to 27.
The visit will focus on food and drink, renewable energy, education, tourism, culture and space.
Analysis estimates the UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement could create more than £3 billion in opportunities for Scotland by 2030.
Whisky and salmon producers see India’s large consumer market as a major opportunity for export growth.
Scottish Enterprise, business groups, VisitScotland and higher education representatives will support the trade and investment programme.
- Who
- First Minister John Swinney will lead a delegation involving Scottish businesses, universities, business organizations, VisitScotland and Scottish Enterprise.
- What
- Scotland is sending a trade and investment delegation to India to pursue opportunities linked to the UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.
- When
- The visit is scheduled for October 20 to 27; it was announced on Tuesday the 29th.
- Where
- The delegation will visit Delhi, Ahmedabad and Mumbai in India.
- Why
- The goal is to expand Scottish exports, investment, tourism, education and cultural links in the Indian market.
- Delegation leader
- John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland
- Visit dates
- October 20-27
- Destinations
- Delhi, Ahmedabad and Mumbai
- Trade agreement
- UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
- Estimated opportunity
- More than £3 billion for Scotland’s priority sectors by 2030
- Priority sectors
- Energy, life sciences, education, technology and digital services, and food and drink
- Programme organizer
- Scottish Development International, the international arm of Scottish Enterprise