The UK’s Minister for the Indo-Pacific Seema Malhotra, arrives in India on her first official visit since taking office. Her visit comes at a time when the two countries signed the bilateral free trade agreement in July this year, with the ratification process now underway.
Building on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s trade mission to India in October, Malhotra will engage with British companies in Chennai and Bengaluru including retail giant Tesco which operates the Star Bazaar chain of stores; fintech company Revolut; and BT that provides telecom services.
Her discussions will centre on how the FTA can streamline business operations, unlock new investment opportunities, and strengthen bilateral supply chains.
“As a UK Minister of Indian descent, returning to India at this early stage is both an honour and an indication of the importance we attach to this relationship,” Malhotra said. “This has been a transformative year for UK-India ties, and the Free Trade Agreement forms the core of our shared Vision 2035. I am here to see how our revitalised partnership is creating jobs, driving innovation and generating growth in both countries.”
Women in STEM
In Bengaluru, Malhotra will announce the return of the British Council’s Women in STEM Scholarship for South Asia after a one-year pause. Ten fully funded master’s scholarships worth £400,000 in total will be offered for the 2026–27 academic year.
She will also meet Karnataka’s Industries Minister M. B. Patil and Higher Education Minister Dr. M. C. Sudhakar to explore collaboration in advanced manufacturing, research, skills development and innovation.
Anti-Visa Fraud Campaign
In Chennai she will expand the UK’s visa-fraud awareness campaign from Punjab to Tamil Nadu. The initiative seeks to curb fraudulent visa practices through targeted outreach in high-risk districts and the launch of a Tamil-language WhatsApp chatbot that helps residents verify visa information and avoid exploitative agents.
Meetings with Tamil Nadu’s Industries Minister Dr. T. R. B. Rajaa will focus on opportunities in green technology, innovation-driven industries and workforce development.
The visit highlights the UK’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy, positioning India as a central partner in economic, security and talent collaboration. By engaging directly with state governments and industry centres beyond New Delhi, London aims to reinforce the depth and reach of the bilateral relationship under the UK-India Vision 2035.
