Region set to deepen ties with India following trade and tourism delegation

Plans to forge even closer ties between Greater Manchester and India have been revealed during a multi-city trade and tourism delegation.

The delegation of senior figures from the Manchester India Partnership (MIP) undertook a strategic multi-city trip across India, championing economic and cultural exchange.

A highlight of the trade and tourism mission was the news surrounding an Indian Consular presence in Greater Manchester, which was warmly received by the city region.

The delegation’s intensive programme culminated in a reception hosted by the British High Commission in New Delhi, symbolising the depth of the bilateral relations.

Lancashire County Cricket Club also announced its upcoming tour of India in March 2025, with both male and female teams set to represent the club.

Marketing Manchester partnered with Visit Britain on its Destination Britain Middle East and Africa global showcase in Bengaluru, to promote UK regions to visitors from those markets. The showcase included presentations from Marketing Manchester, Manchester Airport and Manchester City.

A number of Greater Manchester businesses participated in the Bengaluru Tech Summit, as part of the Department of Business and Trade AI and Semi-conductor trade mission.

And one of the city region’s most famous exports – the co-operative movement – received global billing at the ICA Global Co-operative Conference in Delhi, where the CEO of the Manchester-based Co-operatives UK, Rose Marley, gave a keynote speech.

It came as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that Manchester is one of two new British cities where the Indian government will have a diplomatic presence from next year, in recognition of the strength of cultural and economic ties between the two locations. He also confirmed talks over a UK-India Free Trade Agreement will resume in the new year.

The announcements served as a fitting backdrop for the trade and tourism mission, which the MIP coordinated, set up in 2018 by public and private sector partners including Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency, MIDAS, Marketing Manchester, Manchester Airports Group, Lancashire CCC, Deloitte and the Universities of Salford and Bolton.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, who led the last major delegation to India in 2019, sent a video message to the reception outlining the city region’s strong commitment to growing closer to India.

He said: “I have fond memories of my time in India in 2019, when I experienced first hand so much of what this vibrant, welcoming country has to offer. That trip was significant because it saw us accelerate so many key projects, all aimed at capitalising on the strong synergies between Greater Manchester and India.

 “I am pleased to see so many of our partners in India this week and you have my full support in building ever closer ties.”

Nearly seven years after being formed, the MIP has used its latest visit to reaffirm Greater Manchester’s commitment to forging ever-closer links with India.

MIP chair, Simon Arora, former CEO of B+M Retail, said: “There is so much common ground between Greater Manchester and India, and so many opportunities to collaborate for mutual benefit. That is why it is great to hear there will be an Indian Consul General in Manchester.

“We hope this latest visit will contribute to further commercial, cultural and educational partnerships being forged, all of which will cement the case for direct connectivity between the two destinations. That, in turn, can only serve to accelerate the flow of trade and ideas in both directions.”

Joe Manning, Managing Director at MIDAS, said: “Greater Manchester’s long standing relationship with India continues to grow from strength to strength, built on a shared ambition for innovation and sustainable growth.

“The delegation represents a significant opportunity to further showcase why our city region is the ideal UK destination for Indian businesses looking to expand internationally.

“With our mission being built on the strong foundations of partnership, we’ve established and created even more opportunities for collaboration that benefit both regions.”