Hundreds of business leaders and senior policymakers from across the North of England will gather in Manchester this month to strengthen trade and investment links between India and the UK.
The India North England Opportunity Summit takes place one year after the opening of the Consulate General of India (CGI) in Manchester, which has played an important role in strengthening business and diplomatic ties between India and the North of England.
The summit takes place at a pivotal moment with a trade deal between the two countries soon coming into force creating significant opportunities for businesses across the North of England.
The India-UK Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA), signed on 24 July 2025, is designed to boost bilateral trade by an estimated £25.5bn annually. It eliminates tariffs on 99 per cent of Indian goods entering the UK and 64 per cent of UK goods entering India immediately, rising to 85 per cent.
The UK and India already share a substantial economic relationship. Bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded £41bn in 2024, making India one of the UK’s most important global trading partners.
For northern businesses, the scale of the Indian market presents significant opportunity. India is now the world’s fastest-growing major economy, with a population of more than 1.4 billion people and a rapidly expanding middle class driving demand for expertise in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, professional services, digital technology, education and clean energy.
During the past 12 months, the CGI in Manchester has helped facilitate new commercial relationships between India and the North of England, supporting Indian firms exploring investment opportunities in northern cities while also assisting UK businesses seeking to expand into the Indian market.
Almost 100 Indian companies registered in the North West have collectively invested £1.07bn in the region and now employ more than 6,700 people, according to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
The CGI has welcomed improved connectivity between India and the North of England following the launch of direct flights from Manchester Airport to Delhi and new weekly services to Mumbai, saying the links will strengthen economic and people-to-people ties while reinforcing Manchester’s role as a global gateway to the North.
Vishakha Yaduvanshi, consul general of India in Manchester, said: “With the India-UK Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement soon coming into force this is an important moment to strengthen relationships and ensure businesses across the North are ready to seize the opportunities ahead.
“Since launching in Manchester a year ago, the Indian Consulate in Manchester has played an important role in facilitating business connections between India and the North of England. We are committed to building on that momentum by being the catalyst that brings policymakers, entrepreneurs and industry together.
“It’s an exciting time and we are delighted to continue to support business relationships between the UK and India so we can all grow together.”
Key speakers at the summit include Jonathan Reynolds, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip), Vikram K. Doraiswami, high commissioner of India to the UK, Cllr Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council and Angela Rayner MP as well as other senior policymakers, investors and business leaders engaged in UK–India trade.
