UK‑India Free Trade Agreement to Commence in July 2026

The Capital & Future Frontiers Forum, held on 27 June 2026 at One Moorgate Place, London, brought together senior ministers, CEOs, investors and technology innovators to discuss the next decade of UK‑India trade, capital and technology partnership. Hon Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, declared that the UK‑India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would be the most comprehensive trade pact India has ever entered and will come into force in July 2026. The opening fireside chat also featured Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade and President of the Board of Trade, who framed the FTA as part of a broader reset in UK‑India relations.

Trade Growth and Outlook

Manoj Ladwa, Founder and Chairman of India Global Forum, noted that bilateral trade between the two nations has risen from roughly £17 bn when UK‑India Week began to nearly £48 bn today. He projected that the FTA will further increase bilateral trade volumes over the long term, shifting the dialogue from “how Britain invests in India” to a two‑way flow of capital, technology, institutions and ambition.

Sectoral Opportunities Discussed

The Forum examined forces reshaping the global economy, including capital flows, geopolitics, artificial intelligence, energy security, life sciences, semiconductors and sport. Sessions highlighted how deeper UK‑India capital partnerships can evolve from episodic flows to structured investment, how India can attract greater weight in global portfolios, and how both countries can build trusted collaboration in frontier technologies.

  • Technology security: Kanishka Narayan MP, Parliamentary Under‑Secretary for AI and Online Safety, stressed that strategic autonomy is achieved by building bridges rather than islands.
  • Biotechnology and life sciences: Kiran Mazumdar‑Shaw, Chairperson of Biocon Ltd, emphasized that AI has transformed computational biology, creating a huge opportunity for biotech.
  • Sport as an investment category: Aryaman Birla, Director of Aditya Birla Group and Chairman‑Designate of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, spoke on the rise of world‑class sporting franchises and the economic potential of sport.
  • Regional investment: Kanubhai Desai, Finance Minister of Gujarat, highlighted Gujarat’s robust financial landscape and stable policy framework, positioning the state as a premier destination for long‑term investment.
  • Growth narrative: Rajan Bharti Mittal, Vice Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, asserted that India’s consumption‑driven growth story, powered by a young educated middle class, manufacturing momentum and rule‑of‑law, should be on every global CEO’s agenda.

Implementation Mechanisms

The discussions referenced earlier UK‑India Week engagements in the West Midlands and at India House, including the Gujarat‑West Midlands Steering Committee and Gujarat Future Forum, which focus on regional delivery, investment readiness and practical implementation of the UK‑India economic corridor.

Closing and Recognition

The Forum concluded with the UK‑India Awards 2026, India Global Forum’s flagship celebration recognizing individuals, businesses and institutions that strengthen the bilateral partnership.

About India Global Forum

India Global Forum is a platform that convenes leaders from business, government, policy, academia and culture to promote partnerships, investment flows and thought leadership around India’s global growth story.