A New Chapter for the UK–India Partnership

Britain and India have entered a pivotal moment in their relationship. With the UK–India Free Trade Agreement now in force and Andy Burnham becoming Prime Minister, we have a rare opportunity to redefine one of Britain’s most important strategic partnerships for the decades ahead.
I have worked with Andy Burnham for more than a decade - first as his business adviser during his 2015 Labour leadership campaign and later alongside him when he was Mayor of Greater Manchester and I served as Deputy Mayor of London for Business. Those experiences gave me a close insight into his leadership style and his approach to economic growth.
Throughout that time, I have seen that Andy’s instinct is always to bring people together. Whether working with businesses, local leaders, universities or communities, he believes lasting prosperity comes from partnership, long-term thinking and empowering places to succeed. Those themes were central to his recent speech in Manchester and, I believe, they will define his premiership.
Andy also brings something rare among Prime Ministers - a practical understanding of India. During his time as Mayor, Greater Manchester strengthened its engagement with India through initiatives such as the Manchester India Partnership, bringing together businesses, universities, investors and cultural organisations. More importantly, it demonstrated that international relationships are not built solely through diplomacy in Westminster. They are built through collaboration between cities, institutions, businesses and people. I expect Andy to bring that same philosophy to Downing Street.
That approach aligns naturally with modern India. Today’s India is not only one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies but also a global leader in technology, entrepreneurship and innovation. As India continues its remarkable rise, the opportunities for collaboration extend far beyond trade. Artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, clean energy, financial technology, space, higher education and research all offer enormous potential for both countries.
The UK–India Free Trade Agreement is therefore not the destination - it is the foundation. Its success will ultimately be measured not by the signing of a treaty, but by the businesses it helps to grow, the jobs it creates, the investment it unlocks, the innovation it commercialises and the prosperity it delivers on both sides.
A defining feature of Andy Burnham’s leadership has been his determination to spread opportunity beyond Westminster and ensure that economic growth reaches every part of the country. That creates exciting possibilities for Indian businesses and investors looking to engage not only with London but with Britain’s great cities and regions. Stronger partnerships in manufacturing, digital technology, health innovation, clean energy and education can become a powerful new dimension of the UK–India relationship.
Britain’s Indian diaspora is one of the greatest assets in this relationship. As entrepreneurs, professionals, academics, innovators and public servants, British Indians are not simply a bridge between two countries - they are helping shape the future of both. Their contribution will be central to translating political goodwill into practical outcomes.
As Chair of Labour Friends of India, I warmly welcome Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his government. We look forward to working constructively with ministers, parliamentarians, businesses and community organisations to deepen this partnership and ensure its benefits are shared widely across both countries.
The question is no longer whether the UK and India should have a strategic partnership. That is already beyond doubt. The question now is how ambitious we choose to be. By combining Britain’s strengths in research, innovation and global finance with India’s extraordinary talent, scale and entrepreneurial energy, we have the opportunity to build one of the defining partnerships of the twenty-first century. I believe the Burnham government has a unique opportunity to turn that ambition into reality.
Rajesh Agrawal is Chair of Labour Friends of India, former Deputy Mayor of London for Business, and served as Andy Burnham’s business adviser during his 2015 Labour leadership campaign.