Trade mission results in a number of strategic partnerships set to boost bilateral trade and investment between India and the West Midlands. 

·        A number of business and cultural MoUs agreed between West Midlands and Indian organisations to advance key economic corridors. 

·        The West Midlands announced as the host location for the 2025 Kabaddi World Cup, marking the first time the tournament will be held outside of Asia. 

·        Achievements of acclaimed singer and composer, Shankar Mahadevan, to be recognised with honorary doctorate from Birmingham City University (BCU) in 2023. 

 
A trade mission formed of business and political leaders from the UK’s West Midlands has resulted in a number of strategic partnerships and announcements that are set to strengthen the region’s economic relationship with India’s sub-regions.  

Led by West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street between 6th-12th November, the delegation visited Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi. Focusing on three key areas – emerging digital technologies, low carbon mobility and data-driven healthcare – the mission built on the ongoing negotiations for a new Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Exploring opportunities for bilateral trade and investment between India, the West Midlands and the wider UK, the mission aimed to build more prosperous communities in both the UK and India. 

During the visit, the delegation attended a series of meetings and events, organised by the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). These involved senior figures from leading Indian businesses, including multinational manufacturer Tata Group, motorcycle manufacturer TVS and automotive manufacturing group Mahindra & Mahindra. The delegation also visited the Hyderabad offices of Coventry-headquartered data specialist, Kagool and a number of industry hubs, including start-up incubator, T-Hub and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). 

The mission saw the creation of a number of business-focused MoUs (Memorandums of Understanding), to advance key economic corridors. These included agreements between T-Hub and Birmingham City University’s STEAMhouse innovation centre; the University of Wolverhampton and the Data Security Council of India (DSCI); and the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). From a cultural perspective, a further MoU was signed between the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and India’s National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA). 

Another key cultural announcement came at an event in Mumbai, where Birmingham City University (BCU) pledged to present award-winning Indian singer and composer, Shankar Mahadevan, with an honorary doctorate in 2023 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to music and the arts.  

The week concluded with the news that the West Midlands will play host to the 2025 Kabaddi World Cup. This will make the region the first destination outside of Asia to host the prestigious global tournament, which will feature the world’s best kabaddi players from men’s and women’s teams, including India, Iran and Pakistan. 

The West Midlands delegation also included Councillor Ian Brookfield, Portfolio Lead for Economy and Innovation at the West Midlands Combined Authority and City of Wolverhampton Council Leader and senior representatives from the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC); the Department for International Trade (DIT); the University of Birmingham; Warwick Manufacturing Group; Birmingham Airport; Birmingham City University; Bruntwood; Kagool; Birmingham Repertory Theatre, the Manufacturing Technology Centre and the British Kabaddi League. 

With a ‘living bridge’ of nearly 200,000 ethnic Indians living and working in the region, the West Midlands and India already enjoy a strong relationship, rooted in a shared cultural heritage and strong economic links. India is the UK’s second largest source of investment in terms of number of projects, and the West Midlands represents a significant portion of Indian FDI into the UK, with 57% of Indian investment into the UK in 2020 located in the West Midlands.  

The region has already attracted some of India’s biggest companies, including Tata Motors, State Bank of India, Infosys, OLA, Enzen Global, Suprajit Group, Elder Pharmaceuticals, Microland, BSA, Switch Mobility and Firstsource.  

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said:  

“In 2020, India accounted for half of all investment into our region. Covering business, tourism, sport and culture, our mission’s varied programme focused on what needs to happen to take this economic relationship to the next level, as discussions around a new FTA continue.   

“During the week, we met with Indian businesses big and small to discuss key opportunities for collaboration, as well as signing a number of important MoUs. We also held vital talks with Air India, focused on expanding Birmingham Airport’s existing routes to Amritsar and Delhi. It’s clear that by working together, the West Midlands and Indian markets can both achieve significant value in the months and years ahead and I look forward to seeing this come to fruition.” 

Cllr Ian Brookfield, Portfolio Lead for Economy and Innovation at the West Midlands Combined Authority and City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, said:  

“The purpose for our visit to India was clear – to cement trade ties with key markets, promote long-term bilateral investment and create valuable jobs for the people of Wolverhampton and the wider West Midlands. In this sense, the mission was a resounding success, but the week also brought exciting news in the world of sport, building on the legacy of Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.  

“Following on from the successful launch of the British Kabaddi League in Wolverhampton last spring, the choice of the West Midlands for the first ever Kabaddi World Cup to be held outside of Asia will strengthen our reputation for delivering major sporting events, while inspiring a diverse population to enjoy the benefits of being physically active.” 

Sir Ralf Speth, Chairman of TVS Motor Company, said: 

“The West Midlands is a key part of TVS’s global growth plans – home to our only UK branch, as well as TVS-owned Norton Motorcycles’ global headquarters. It was therefore great to meet with our West Midlands partners in Hosur to discuss what the future of TVS will look like in the region, which continues to serve as an invaluable business landscape to match our ambitions. Following discussions this week, we are confident that further investment will be earmarked for the West Midlands, as we continue to expand our operations to meet the needs of our growing, international client base.” 

Last week brought the announcement that TVS Motor Company will be providing the University of Warwick with a substantial gift of £1.5 million to help create a new Professorial post at Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) – the Lord Bhattacharyya Chair in Engineering Education. 

This trade mission has been organised as part of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Business and Tourism Programme (BATP), which will build on the profile created by the Commonwealth Games to attract visitors, trade, events and investment into Birmingham, the West Midlands and the UK from nations and territories across the Commonwealth, including India.  

BATP is sponsored by Airbnb, Dettol, Bruntwood, E.ON, Gowling WLG, University of Birmingham and Lendlease.