India Global Forum convened the Gujarat Future Forum: Regional Leadership, Global Opportunity at India House in London, bringing together senior policymakers, diplomats and business leaders to explore Gujarat’s expanding role in the UK–India economic partnership following the ratification of the Free Trade Agreement.
Held as part of the 10th edition of UK–India Week, the Forum focused on how regional ecosystems in India, particularly Gujarat, can help translate the FTA’s policy framework into tangible investment, trade and innovation outcomes.
The event, hosted at the High Commission of India in the UK, examined Gujarat’s position as a fast-growing hub for manufacturing, energy, finance, innovation and enterprise, and how deeper UK–Gujarat engagement could unlock new commercial opportunities for businesses in both countries.
Focus on regional delivery in UK–India partnership
Opening the Forum, Kartik Pandey, Deputy High Commissioner of India to the UK, underlined the increasing depth of the bilateral relationship and highlighted the importance of improved market access and stronger investment flows in driving shared growth.
Setting the broader context, Manoj Ladwa, Founder and Chairman of India Global Forum, emphasised Gujarat’s role in shifting the UK–India partnership from a national-level agreement to a model of regional execution and delivery.
The Forum also featured a presentation by Mamta Verma, Additional Chief Secretary, Industries and Mines, Government of Gujarat, who outlined the state’s industrial strengths, investor-friendly policy framework and infrastructure development. She highlighted Gujarat’s sustained economic growth and its emergence as a competitive global investment destination.
FTA opportunities and Gujarat’s investment pitch
A key session, titled “The Gujarat Advantage and the FTA Dividend: Turning Opportunity into Action,” featured Kanubhai Desai, Hon’ble Minister of Finance, Energy and Petrochemicals, Government of Gujarat. The discussion focused on how Gujarat’s industrial base is positioned to benefit from the UK–India Free Trade Agreement and the practical steps needed to convert policy gains into commercial outcomes.
Inviting international investors, Desai said Gujarat offered a stable and predictable investment environment supported by strong governance and consistent policy delivery.
“Come to Gujarat without fear. Your investments are secure because Gujarat has robust policies, stable governance and a proven track record of delivery over the last two decades,” he said. He added that the state was ready to deepen partnerships with UK businesses across manufacturing, energy, technology and exports, describing the FTA as a “powerful new platform” for bilateral cooperation.
Desai also said Gujarat should be viewed as a “trusted gateway to India’s growth story,” urging UK companies to explore opportunities in the state as India–UK trade ties enter a new phase.
Gujarat positioned as key engine of India’s growth story
Manoj Ladwa described Gujarat as a central driver of India’s economic expansion, highlighting its strengths in infrastructure, enterprise and industrial scale.
“Gujarat is not simply another Indian state seeking investment. It is one of India’s great engines of growth,” he said, adding that the UK and Gujarat bring complementary strengths in capital, finance, research, manufacturing and market access.
He emphasised that while the FTA has created the framework for growth, its success will depend on execution and practical collaboration between businesses and governments.
“The FTA has opened the door, but agreements do not deliver themselves. The task now is to move from celebration to implementation, and from policy ambition to commercial reality,” he said.
The Forum concluded with a renewed call for stronger UK–Gujarat engagement, with Minister Desai reiterating the state’s track record of policy stability and investor confidence. He encouraged UK businesses to actively explore opportunities in Gujarat as both countries move into the implementation phase of the Free Trade Agreement.
