Three Yorkshire mayors and Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig have returned from high-profile trade missions to India with a raft of investment agreements, research partnerships and business commitments set to deliver hundreds of jobs and strengthen economic ties between the UK and one of the world's fastest-growing economies.
Led by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard and York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith, Yorkshire's delegation united businesses, universities and cultural organisations under a single banner to promote the region as a prime destination for investment, innovation and talent.
The visit focused on Hyderabad and Mumbai, where the White Rose leaders met major investors, government officials, business leaders and cultural partners, building on the momentum created by the UK-India Free Trade Agreement.
The mission delivered a series of significant agreements across healthcare, textiles, education and technology.
Among the headline achievements was a new healthcare innovation partnership between Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber and Hyderabad-based IKP Knowledge Park in Genome Valley, one of India's leading life sciences clusters. The agreement aims to accelerate healthcare innovation and support the development of new technologies internationally.
The University of Huddersfield also strengthened ties with India through a new textiles agreement with the Indian Technical Textile Association, while the Textile Centre of Excellence signed additional partnerships focused on skills development and workforce training in both Madhya Pradesh and Telangana.
The trade mission comes at a crucial moment for UK-India relations. Since 2021, exports from West, South and York and North Yorkshire to India have more than doubled, reaching approximately £770 million annually. The UK Government expects the free trade agreement to contribute around £170 million each year to the Yorkshire and Humber economy.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:
“Yorkshire and India are old friends. You see it at Headingley, where a 19-year-old Sachin Tendulkar became our first overseas player. You see it in the mills where families who came from India kept our textile industry going; in the Indian restaurants on our high streets; in the Diwali celebrations in our towns and cities; and in the thousands of Indian students who choose our universities every year.
“More than 80,000 people of Indian heritage call Yorkshire home. They are part of the fabric of our great county. I want them – and every Indian business, student and visitor thinking of coming here – to know they are valued, welcome, and safe in Yorkshire.
“This trade mission is about turning that old friendship into new economic opportunity. With the free trade deal now in force, and with Indian businesses creating hundreds of good jobs here in West Yorkshire, now is the time to build on that momentum, back our importing and exporting businesses, and ensure the benefits of good growth are felt in every postcode.”
A key element of the trip was a meeting between the White Rose mayors and the Chief Minister of Telangana, aimed at advancing cooperation on investment, trade and jobs.
The delegation also met executives from Dr Reddy's Laboratories, which already operates a major manufacturing facility in Mirfield.
Indian investment in Yorkshire also continues to accelerate.
Technology firm Hexaware plans to establish a new research and development centre in Leeds as part of a £25 million UK expansion programme. The investment is expected to create 240 jobs in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data science.
Elsewhere, Yorkshire companies are expanding their own presence in India:
- Batley-based AssetCool signed its first commercial licence agreement with APAR Industries.
- Leeds technology company Optalysys is expanding its engineering operations in Bangalore.
- Wilson Power Solutions has increased manufacturing capacity in India fourfold with a new £21 million transformer facility near Chennai.
Higher education formed a major pillar of the mission.
Universities from Leeds, Sheffield, York and Huddersfield participated, reflecting the growing importance of international academic collaboration.
A significant milestone came with the opening of the University of York Mumbai, which welcomed its first intake of undergraduate and postgraduate students.
During a visit to the campus, Mayor David Skaith launched the new Mayor's Gateway Scholarship, enabling students from Mumbai to study in York while gaining valuable industry experience.
A new Institute for Good Society was also launched, focusing on artificial intelligence, urbanisation, climate change, food security and future technologies.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:
“It doesn’t matter whether you sit down to enjoy a cup of Yorkshire Tea or chai, our connection with India runs deep.
“This historic trade mission takes our shared history and transforms it into fresh opportunities for both Yorkshire and India.
“Working together as one team across Yorkshire allows us to unlock new trade, create high-quality career pathways back home and deliver on devolution.”
The mission was also notable for its focus on cultural collaboration.
Opera North is exploring opportunities to bring its acclaimed production Orpheus: Monteverdi Reimagined to India, showcasing collaboration between South Asian and Western Baroque musicians.
Meanwhile, support from Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy will help strengthen The Great North Creative initiative, bringing together northern regions, the BBC and industry partners to promote creative industries internationally.
At the same time, Greater Manchester celebrated the success of its own week-long trade mission to New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata.
Led by Mayor Bev Craig, the delegation secured commitments expected to create more than 600 new jobs while attracting over £100 million in investment. The mission also strengthened links between business, education, healthcare and sport, including further collaboration with Lancashire Cricket Club and India's RPSG Group.
Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:
“Our trade mission to India has delivered over 600 new jobs and tens of millions in investment that will benefit the people and businesses back in Greater Manchester.
"We know that to create good growth at home we have to attract investment into Greater Manchester.
"I am always proud to represent our city region on the global stage and talk to people about what makes it such a fantastic place.
"The last mayoral trade mission to India was in 2019 and since then we’ve seen the signing of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement and the establishment of the Consulate General for India in Manchester.
"And with the largest population and one of the world’s fastest growing economies, India represents a huge opportunity.
“But our relationship is about more than just trade and investment. We’re strengthening our links ties in innovation, culture and sport, building on sectors where we have expertise – as well as our shared love of cricket.
“That’s why it’s so important to come out and engage with Indian businesses and open up new opportunities for those based in Greater Manchester.”
The twin trade missions underline the growing importance of India as a strategic economic partner for northern England. With billions of pounds in trade, major inward investment and increasing collaboration across innovation, healthcare, education and culture, regional leaders believe the benefits will be felt for years to come.
Image credit: iStock
