The relaunch of the CII UK India Business Forum in London signifies a renewed commitment to fostering stronger economic and strategic ties between India and the U.K. after the COVID-19 pandemic. With bilateral trade reaching £38.1 billion in goods and services, there’s a significant opportunity for collaboration not only in investment but also in research and development, academic partnerships, and industrial cooperation.
CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee emphasizes the need for deeper connections that extend beyond business, including capacity building and preparing for the future job landscape. The forum aims to bridge the knowledge gap about the bilateral relationship and explore joint ventures in emerging sectors, cybersecurity, space exploration, clean energy, and conservation initiatives. As negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement progress, both countries are optimistic about signing the deal, with potential implications for post-Brexit trade dynamics and India’s broader trade partnerships.