India-UK economic partnership gains momentum with high-level talks

India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal’s recent visit to the United Kingdom marked a significant step in advancing economic and technological cooperation between India and the UK.

Piyush Goyal UK
Rachel Reeves (4th from left) and Piyush Goyal (3rd from right) posing with delegates from India and the UK. Photo courtesy: x.com/PiyushGoyal

During his trip, the minister engaged with several top UK officials and industry leaders, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations through collaboration in financial frameworks, sustainable finance, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

In a key meeting with Rachel Reeves, the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Goyal discussed expanding avenues for cooperation in the financial sector, particularly in sustainable finance and new trade opportunities that align with the broader objective of deepening the India-UK economic partnership.

This engagement underlined the shared commitment of both countries to build a robust and future-ready economic relationship.

The minister also met Oliver Prill, CEO of UK-based business financial platform Tide. The discussion revolved around the fintech ecosystem and the growing role of digital infrastructure in supporting small and medium enterprises in both nations.

Goyal highlighted the transformative role of India’s digital empowerment initiatives and the potential for mutual growth through technology-driven solutions.

At the Future Frontiers Forum in London, Goyal interacted with Sir Ian Blatchford, Director and Chief Executive of the Science Museum Group. Here, he spoke about India’s advancements in digital infrastructure, innovation, and its growing capabilities in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

He also emphasised the potential of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement to deepen collaboration in the fields of science, technology, and innovation.

The minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to elevating the Free Trade Agreement from a negotiated document to a transformative economic partnership.

Signed in May 2025, the FTA represents a milestone in bilateral relations, reflecting the shared ambition of both nations to create a comprehensive and balanced framework for trade and investment.

At the India Global Forum 2025 in London, Goyal showcased India’s strategic global outlook and economic leadership, reiterating that the agreement is designed to serve the long-term interests of both economies.

He was joined at the event by UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds, with the session moderated by international journalist Mark Barton.