UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, Environment Secretary Angela Eagle, the Scotland Secretary, and a delegation of northern Mayors arrived in Delhi and Mumbai on Oct. 12, 2026, alongside representatives from over 100 British businesses. The delegation, designated “The Great North mission,” marks one of the largest regional trade deployments from the UK to India.
The government reported that the mission accompanies more than £1 billion in new commercial agreements. According to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, overall commercial commitments signed between UK and Indian entities have reached nearly £12 billion since the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was signed in July 2025. Official trade figures show total UK-India trade reached £48 billion in the 12 months to March 2026, reflecting a £3 billion year-on-year increase in current prices.
Key commercial expansions and commitments announced alongside the mission include:
– Meta for Data Technologies: The tech firm announced a £50 million investment in the UK to create 500 highly skilled jobs across London and Manchester. The project will establish an AI and data research centre, an engineering AI hub, and a quantum computing laboratory in Greater Manchester.
– Menzies Aviation: The UK aviation services provider secured a 15-year Ground Handling Licence at India’s largest domestic cargo facility in Bengaluru. The deal is projected to generate over £600 million in revenue.
– Angel & Rocket: The UK children’s clothing brand outlined plans to open 100 retail locations across India over the next five years, with expected revenues of £43 million.
– Oxford Nanopore: The biotechnology company is set to sign a memorandum of understanding with India’s Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics.
The mission also targets agricultural and food exports following tariff adjustments implemented under the 2025 trade agreement. Under the active FTA, Indian tariffs on UK whisky exports were reduced from 150% to 75%, while tariffs on UK salmon were eliminated. UK food producers, including manufacturers of iconic regional goods such as shortbread, are expanding distribution under the modified terms.
Government officials stated that the trade mission aims to promote northern UK economic sectors, secure further investment from India’s economy, and encourage bilateral trade growth across regional communities.
Sources
– [GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/india-trade-mission-unlocks-hundreds-of-uk-jobs-and-new-deals)
Source: www.gov.uk
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