2 Nov 2022

The APPG on India (Trade and Investment) held its inaugural meeting in Parliament alongside the support of the Indian High Commission, Confederation of British Industry, and Confederation of Indian Industry.

The event was attended by Greg Hands, UK’s trade minister; Nick Thomas-Symonds, shadow secretary of state for international trade and Welsh Labour MP for Torfaen; and Vikram Doraiswami, Indian High Commissioner to the UK. The session was chaired by Baroness Verma and Lord Bilimoria.

Discussions focused on the upcoming India-UK FTA and cooperation in sunrise sectors such as the green economy, health innovation, and fintech.

The APPG are grateful to the CII for facilitating attendance by some of India’s top-valued CEOs, as part of the annual CII CEO Delegation.

The APPG facilitated a roundtable discussion between Sir Keir Starmer and Confederation of Indian Industry’s CEO delegation. Also in attendance was Nick Thomas-Symonds, Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade.

9 Feb 2023

In our first roundtable discussion, we hosted guest speaker, Mr Suman Bery, Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog - India’s apex public policy think tank of the Government of India.

The session was chaired by APPG co-chair Lord Bilimoria under Chatham House Rule. Many topical issues were discussed ranging from gender to geo-politics. We look forward to facilitating more discussions between leading experts and UK parliamentarians.

This Roundtable focused on what the next generation of British Indian Leaders wants from the UK-India Relationship. Key topics covered were the need for the creation of advocacy pathways, mobility between the countries, and a more sophisticated dialogue about the opportunities available through this evolving relationship.

This Roundtable was an informative discussion between British High Commissioner to India, Mr Alex Wellis, FCDO, and Parliamentarians. The discussion covered matters ranging from allowing British lawyers to practice in India, the upcoming Free Trade Agreement, and the recent attack on the Indian High Commission in London.

Overcoming Challenges & Setting the Agenda in Life Sciences

We have published the policy note from the roundtable, which can be viewed here.

Co-hosted with the APPG for Commonwealth, there was fruitful discussion on how India could shape the Commonwealth and the future of the organisation

Joined by the Confederation of Indian Industry, the APPG discussed the barriers facing the UK-India trade partnership and the key areas that could facilitate its growth.

Discussion on India’s role and evolving foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific and what it means for UK-India relations.

Briefing by APPG Foreign Affairs: https://www.appgforeignaffairs.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/APPG-FA-1.pdf

Collaboration with King's College London, as part of a 3-year project they are running on the Enablers and Obstacles to UK-India Trade. Discussion on how trade between the two nations can be made more gender equitable and the role policy, regulations and incentives can play.

A discussion on what Odisha has to offer with regards to investment and assets, especially with regards to the football club Odisha FC that aims to follow the EPL model

A discussion aiming to foster dialogue and build consensus on sustainable supply chain practices within the UK-India trade sector, alongside green financing and cultivating industry-government relationships. Organised in collaboration with Artisan Furniture (artisanfurniture.net) a sustainable furniture enterprise.

Collaboration with the UK-India Business Council and Mahindra Rise, with discussions on how UK-India collaborations are vital for the future of EV technology and Net Zero.

A discussion on whisky trade between India and the UK and potential improvements and markets