India-UK trade delegation: ‘Links being created, opportunities huge’, says UK trade secretary Reynolds
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The ongoing UK trade delegation to India, in the backdrop of the India-UK FTA, is already starting see results. UK’s secretary of state for business, innovation, science and trade, Jonathan Reynolds on Tuesday told media in Mumbai: “People are telling me on the delegation they are making the links. We are realizing opportunities are greater than we thought before we left.”
The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) came into force on July 15, 2026.
“This is one of the biggest trade delegations 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,” he said. Reynolds, earlier in the day, met Maharashtra’s chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
“I was hugely impressed with him and it was great to hear around more infrastructure, growth of the fintech sector, tokenization 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,” Reynolds said.
Greater Manchester’s mayor Ben Craig disclosed that by the end of the week, several company-related announcements will be made. “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. Greater Manchester’s has grown at near 3.1% pace of growth, which is anywhere else in the UK.
She said that the areas of life sciences, AI, digital technology, cybersecurity, advance material, 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.