PASSPORT TO PROFIT: MADE IN INDIA

With the India-UK FTA as their passport, Indian firms are cashing in on smoother entry, bolder bets, and bigger returns in Britain

- 

Indian companies are strengthening their presence in the United Kingdom, driven by a combination of long-term strategic ambition and new opportunities unlocked by the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed in May ‘25. This landmark agreement is expected to considerably boost bilateral trade, streamline business operations, and support investments across sectors ranging from information technology and pharmaceuticals to textiles, consumer goods, and clean energy.

The FTA provides for the elimination of tariffs on over 90% of Indian exports, facilitates easier movement of professionals, and includes progressive commitments on services, digital trade, and regulatory cooperation. These provisions are already reshaping how Indian firms approach the UK market - not merely as an export destination, but as a key hub for innovation, investment, and long-term growth.

India’s largest business houses have led the way. The Tata Group, for instance, has long maintained a strong footprint in the UK through Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). TCS is among the UK’s top IT services employers, with over 20,000 staff and recent expansion in Edinburgh to support its financial services clients.

Meanwhile, Tata Motors’ JLR continues to invest heavily in the UK’s automotive sector. The Group’s announcement of a £4 billion gigafactory in Somerset - focused on battery manufacturing for electric vehicles - is expected to create more than 4,000 jobs and drastically enhance local supply chains.

Infosys and Wipro are also expanding their UK operations. Infosys has committed to creating 1,000 new digital roles and is collaborating with UK-based fintech firms. Wipro, following its $1.5 billion acquisition of Capco, is now deeply embedded in London's financial services consulting ecosystem, with delivery hubs also located in Glasgow and Reading.