India-UK trade delegation: ‘Links being created, opportunities huge’, says UK trade secretary Reynolds

The visiting UK trade delegation to India has started seeing results in the backdrop of the India-UK FTA. “People are telling me on the delegation they are making the links. We are realising opportunities are greater than we thought before we left,” Jonathan Reynolds, the UK’s secretary of state for business, innovation, science and trade, told the media in Mumbai on Tuesday.

The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) came into force on July 15, 2026.

“This is one of the biggest trade delegations the UK has ever taken to any country: three cabinet ministers, seven mayors, and 200 businesses. It is a reflection which the fact that the CETA trade deal is having,” he said. He said no sector would be left untouched. “We want to showcase the range of what this could bring: manufacturing, life sciences, sport, and culture,” Reynolds said.

“The wins for Indian businesses are extensive, particularly agriculture, leather goods and improving business mobility.”

Earlier in the day, Reynolds met Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. “I was hugely impressed with him and it was great to hear around more infrastructure, growth of the fintech sector, tokenisation of assets. The sense of dynamism and delivery on the ground is really helpful,” he told Fortune India. “Both sides want to keep deepening and pushing the relationship forward.”

Greater Manchester’s mayor Bev Craig disclosed that several company-related announcements will be made by the end of the week. “Greater Manchester is a very practical region, we are known for getting work done, I believe jobs and investments can be taken back home, would be hugely beneficial to businesses here in India.”

“By the end of the week, some clear things will be announced, there will be partnerships, trades, business partnerships. TCS, Hexaware and Infosys bring job opportunities,” she said, adding that Greater Manchester has grown at near 3.1%, which is higher than anywhere else in the UK.

She said that the areas of lifesciences, AI, digital technology, cybersecurity, advance material, and financial services, showed promise.

On sports, Craig said: “It is fitting that we are here. We see businesses and government working together, I think through sports and collaboration, there will be lots of opportunities,” she told Fortune India.

The Sanjiv Goenka-led RPSG Group owns a 70% stake in Manchester Originals, in The Hundred cricket franchise, with the balance being held by Lancashire Cricket Club.