Yorkshire is preparing for its first joint trade mission to India, bringing businesses, universities and creative organisations from across the region together to explore opportunities in the rapidly growing Indian market.
Grant Thornton UK hosted a launch reception in Leeds last week, attended by India’s High Commissioner, its Consul General for the North of England, the UK-India Free Trade Agreement’s chief negotiator, senior government officials and the mayors of West, South and North Yorkshire.
The mission comes after the UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) came into force on July 15, 2026. The deal is forecast to increase bilateral trade by £25.5 billion.
Trade between Yorkshire and India has doubled since 2021 to £1.9bn a year, according to West Yorkshire Combined Authority figures. The region exported £862 million of goods and services to India in 2023.
Indian-owned businesses in Yorkshire have a combined turnover of £4.85bn, while Yorkshire companies with Indian directors generate almost £20bn and support nearly 130,000 jobs. The delegation will travel to New Delhi from October 12 as part of the wider Great North trade mission, followed by a dedicated Yorkshire programme in Hyderabad and Mumbai.
The programme will focus on sectors including advanced textiles, aerospace, life sciences, clean technology and creative industries. Dan Dickinson, Leeds practice lead and partner at Grant Thornton UK, said CETA had removed “some real barriers to entry”, creating an opportunity for businesses that move quickly to understand the changes.
Anuj Chande OBE, head of the firm’s South Asia Business Group, said successful businesses needed a long-term presence and understanding of the Indian market.
