Commonwealth Games Handover Inspires Scotland-India Trade Drive In Glasgow

A major new era of trade and collaboration is taking shape between Scotland and India.

Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games baton handover inspired a business reception and roundtable at the City Chambers on Friday, July 31, focusing on trade between the two countries under the theme “The Commonwealth Commercial Corridor.”

Scottish business leaders, Indian trade delegates, and senior politicians gathered at Glasgow City Chambers on the eve of the Commonwealth handover (Image: Contributed)

The event took place the night before Glasgow formally passed the Commonwealth Games baton to India’s Gujarat and just weeks after the UK-India Free Trade Agreement came into force on July 15.

This agreement eliminates tariffs across 99% of Indian goods and opens a new commercial era between the two nations.

The reception was opened by Dr Jacqueline McLaren, Lord Provost of Glasgow, who welcomed guests to the reception.

Scottish business leaders, Indian trade delegates, and senior politicians gathered at Glasgow City Chambers on the eve of the Commonwealth handover (Image: Contributed)

Guests heard speeches from trade leaders and political representatives, including Amit Chaudhary, Vice Consul of India in Edinburgh, and Alison Thewliss, Minister for Community Care.

Amit said: “It is up to entrepreneurs, investors, and educators to turn paper agreements into real progress and shared growth.”

Business leaders from both countries attended the reception, including representatives from Salmon Scotland, Scottish airports, education providers, IT firms, and visiting Indian business delegates.

Scottish business leaders, Indian trade delegates, and senior politicians gathered at Glasgow City Chambers on the eve of the Commonwealth handover (Image: Contributed)

Martyn Day MSP, chair of the Scottish Parliament‘s Cross Party Group on India, also attended, as well as Rashmi Singh, chair of FICCI, Shehla Hasan, head of the Confederation of Indian Industry, and Charandeep Singh, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce.

The reception was organised by UK India Bridge, a Scotland-based strategic advisory firm, in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

Scottish business leaders, Indian trade delegates, and senior politicians gathered at Glasgow City Chambers on the eve of the Commonwealth handover (Image: Contributed)

Kishore Dattu, director of UK India Bridge, described the Commonwealth handover as not only a sporting milestone but a commercial opportunity to deepen trade links.

He said: “The bridges we build between our people and our institutions today will become the foundation for shared growth.”

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