Archive · 22 Sep 2026
UK Business Schools Deepen India Ties After Trade Agreement
A group of British business-school leaders traveled to New Delhi for a three-day meeting with Indian education and business leaders.
Lord Karan Bilimoria led the 45-person British delegation.
The meeting was held after a new trade agreement between the UK and India began.
The schools want to work more closely together and may create more programs and campuses in India.
They also want to share research and help students study in both countries.
Speakers said artificial intelligence should become part of many business-school subjects.
They also said students need skills such as teamwork, leadership and negotiation.
The group discussed internships and making business education more affordable.
The meeting was supported by the British and Indian governments and education organizations.
Lord Karan Bilimoria led a 45-member delegation of British business-school representatives to New Delhi from September 14–16, 2026.
The second UK-India Business School Dialogue brought together educators, government representatives, regulators, business leaders and sector experts.
The conference followed the UK-India trade agreement’s entry into force on July 15, 2026, which the article refers to as both the Free Trade Agreement and CETA.
Participants discussed expanding campuses, research partnerships, doctoral programs, student opportunities and business-school collaboration between the two countries.
Speakers highlighted artificial intelligence, soft skills, internships, affordability and ethical transnational research as priorities for management education.
- Who
- Lord Karan Bilimoria led 45 representatives from British business schools, who met Indian business-school leaders, officials, regulators and business representatives.
- What
- The second UK-India Business School Dialogue examined deeper cooperation in management education, research, student opportunities and business-school development.
- When
- September 14–16, 2026; the related UK-India trade agreement came into force on July 15, 2026.
- Where
- The conference was held at the Shangri-La Eros New Delhi, with events also taking place at the British Council in New Delhi.
- Why
- British business schools are seeking stronger partnerships and a larger presence in India following the new trade agreement and the expansion of the countries’ education relationship.
- Delegation size
- 45 senior representatives of British business schools
- Conference
- Second UK-India Business School Dialogue
- Conference dates
- September 14–16, 2026
- Trade agreement date
- July 15, 2026
- Projected trade impact
- The agreement is forecast to increase bilateral trade by £25.5 billion annually.
- UK business-school contribution
- UK business schools contribute more than £13 billion to the national economy, according to the Chartered Association of Business Schools.
- UK companies in India
- Shiv Shivakumar cited 794 UK companies operating in India, with combined revenue of $60 billion and 552,000 employees.