Two countries committed to shared economic growth.
The UK and India have a strong people-to-people link through the 1.9 million Indian diaspora in the UK, representing what Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls the ‘living bridge’, a testament to the incredible cultural bond between the UK and India.
Beyond this strong people-to-people link, the UK and India have a thriving bilateral trade relationship worth £48 billion. The UK and India investment relationship supports over 600,000 jobs across both economies, with Indian foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in the UK creating over 6,000 new jobs in 2024/25. With over 1,000 Indian-owned companies now operating across the UK, this partnership continues to flourish.
Signed on 24 July 2025, the FTA is forecast to increase bilateral trade by £25.5 billion annually in the long run, boosting India's GDP by £5.1 billion and the UK's GDP by £4.8 billion. It strengthens supply chains, supports jobs and opens new opportunities for businesses across both countries.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a bilateral meeting at the G7 Leaders Summit in Evian
Image credit: 16 June 2026 - Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street
This partnership has now entered a defining new chapter.
At the G7 Leaders Summit in France in June 2026, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi made the historic announcement that the long-awaited UK-India Free Trade Agreement would enter into force on 15 July 2026 — a landmark milestone that makes trade between our two countries cheaper, quicker and easier.
Our bespoke campaign 'UKxIndia: Alive with Opportunity', launched in 2023, celebrates the thriving partnership between the UK and India by showcasing the people, ideas, culture and innovation that drive collaboration across key sectors including tourism, education, retail, hospitality and trade.
These sectors are central to both countries' economic futures and the campaign builds on the UK and India's strong and enduring relationship to boost trade and investment whilst promoting our nations' powerful cultural links.
Discover more
A comprehensive UK-India Free Trade Agreement is all set to enter into force from 15 July 2026 - making trade between our two countries cheaper, quicker and easier. The trade deal is expected to revolutionise business opportunities between our nations, with potential to increase trade by £25.5 billion in the long run. Learn how this deal will benefit Indian and UK businesses across multiple sectors.
Explore more on UK-India Trade Deal
India leads as the UK's second-largest investor for 6 consecutive years, with over 1,000 companies already thriving in the UK. During the UK Prime Minister’s two-day trade mission to Mumbai in October 2025opens www.gov.uk in a new tab, 10,600 new UK jobs were unlocked. 6,900 new jobs were secured thanks to £1.3 billion of new Indian investment into the UK.
Discover how the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy creates unparalleled opportunities for Indian businesses.
Explore more on Invest in the UK
India represents one of the world's fastest-growing major economies, offering UK businesses exceptional export opportunities.
Discover market insights, trade statistics, and practical guidance to successfully export your products and services to India.
Explore more on Export to India
Explore Department for Business and Trade events designed to connect UK and Indian businesses.
From trade missions to investment summits, discover upcoming events that can accelerate your business growth.
Explore upcoming eventsHow we can help
At the Department for Business and Trade, we have specialist support available when partnering with the UK.
Our services include:
Providing your business with expert guidance including tax, access to finance, banking, research and development (R&D), visas and skills
Supporting with venture capital funds and connecting you with experienced account managers to aid your growth
Offering advice on exporting through our world-class export credit agency, UK Export Financeopens www.gov.uk in a new tab
Connecting you with local government partners
There are also a wide range of training programmes to help businesses of all shapes and sizes grow, such as the Global Entrepreneur Programme (GEP), and government funding to support advancements in key areas.
Partner with the UK
The Department for Business and Trade’s South Asia leadership team is comprised of His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner Harjinder Kangopens www.gov.uk in a new tab, and two deputy trade commissioners Jaya Chorariaopens www.linkedin.com in a new tab and Chandru Iyer.opens www.gov.uk in a new tab
Complete this enquiry form to be contacted by one of our experts for advice on how to partner with the UK to accelerate your business growth.
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