UK-India Week 2026: West Midlands & Gujarat FTA Collaboration

London, Jun 23 (PTI) The annual UK-India Week has expanded its base beyond London to open in the West Midlands region of England, with a delegation from Gujarat exploring opportunities to deepen regional partnerships in the country.

Organised by India Global Forum (IGF), the opening Smarter Regions Forum at the University of Warwick in Coventry on Tuesday focussed on the regional delivery aspect of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) – set to enter into force on July 15.

A briefing around the opportunities to be unleashed by the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) brought together senior leaders from Gujarat and the West Midlands from across academia, government, business and industry.

"The West Midlands and Gujarat are starting from strength – one is Britain's manufacturing heartland, reinventing itself for the industries of the future, and the other is one of India's great economic engines, defined by enterprise, ambition and execution," said IGF founder Manoj Ladwa.

"Put those capabilities together and you have the makings of a serious UK-India economic corridor, built on capability, complementarity and trust. The task now is to turn dialogue into decisions, relationships into capital flows, and shared ambition into jobs, investment and long-term growth," he said.


The event marked the launch of the 'Gujarat West Midlands Steering Committee' to identify, unlock and deliver opportunities flowing from the FTA.

"As the UK and India move forward with a landmark Free Trade Agreement, the West Midlands is ready to play a leading role, connecting global partners with our world-class industries, talent and innovation ecosystem to drive long-term growth for both economies," said Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, who recently led a trade mission to India.

The opening programme falls within the IGF Smarter Regions Exchange: West Midlands 2026, designed to foster practical collaboration across investment, innovation, skills, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, life sciences and regional growth.

Mamta Verma, Additional Chief Secretary in the Industries and Mines Department, government of Gujarat, said the state had a "clear proposition" for the West Midlands.

"We are one of India's leading industrial and export engines, but we are also building for the future. From clean energy, advanced manufacturing and pharmaceuticals to GIFT City, semiconductors, fintech and sports, Gujarat offers scale, policy stability, world-class infrastructure and a strong commitment to execution," she said.

Now in its 10th year, UK-India Week 2026 is also set to feature one of the first major joint appearances by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and his UK counterpart, Peter Kyle, in London following the FTA entry into force date was announced by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer.