His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia to Engage with Kolkata Industry Leaders
9 DECEMBER 2025
The visit of UK Trade Commissioner for South Asia to Kolkata underscores growing India–UK economic ties following the signing of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and unlocking opportunities for collaboration in technological innovation, green growth, and advanced manufacturing.
Kolkata – His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia, Harjinder Kang, will visit Kolkata on 10-11 December 2025 to engage with leading industry stakeholders and reinforce the United Kingdom’s commitment to deepening trade and investment ties with West Bengal.
Harjinder will also celebrate the signing of UK-India FTA with industry leaders and representatives at a reception hosted by the British Deputy High Commission Kolkata.
The visit aims to highlight Kolkata’s strategic role for UK businesses seeking opportunities in East and Northeast India. During the visit, the Trade Commissioner will meet representatives from key sectors in the region, including technology, innovation, advanced manufacturing, and financial services. His discussions will focus on pathways to accelerate existing bilateral trade and investment worth over £47 billion a year, at a time when the India–UK trade relationship continues to deepen. This follows the visit of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in October, accompanied by the largest ever government trade mission to India.
The landmark UK-India trade deal marks a new era of opportunity, slashing tariffs on 99% of UK goods and 90% of Indian goods to unlock billions in trade potential. Consumers on both sides of our countries will enjoy greater choice—from Indian fashion and food to iconic British products like Scotch whisky and electric vehicles—while businesses gain unprecedented access to vibrant markets.
Businesses in West Bengal, including small and medium-sized enterprises, will be supported through increased contact points and information on trade and investment. Harjinder will meet a number of those businesses benefitting in fields such as textiles and agriculture, engineering, jute, tea and handicrafts.
This includes through the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), who will be hosting a session on ‘Unlocking Emerging Trade Opportunities between India & the UK under the upcoming Comprehensive Economic & Trade Agreement (CETA)’ with Harjinder Kang joining as the Key Speaker in an event in Kolkata on 10 December.
Harjinder Kang, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia and British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India, said: “The UK-India FTA will turbocharge our trading relationship and we expect it to drive significant growth and support many jobs across both countries. Kolkata is a dynamic hub for innovation and industry with a large presence of UK businesses as well as investors into the UK. During my visit to this city, I’m keen to hear from business leaders and other stakeholders on how we can capitalise on the numerous benefits presented by this landmark trade deal.”
Dr. Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to East and Northeast India said: “We are delighted to welcome His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia to Kolkata for a second visit. Implementation of UK-India Free Trade Agreement is eagerly anticipated by our stakeholders from many sectors across West Bengal and the wider region and there is no better person to share the scale and breadth of opportunity this holds.”
Notes to Editors:
- The UK and India signed the landmark Free Trade Agreement on 24 July.
- This trade deal is the biggest and most economically significant bilateral trade deal the UK has agreed since leaving the EU, and the most comprehensive deal India has ever signed.
- The trade deal is expected to increase bilateral trade, worth £47.2 billion a year, by £25.5 billion every year in the long run.
Profile of Harjinder Kang: https://www.gov.uk/government/people/harjinder-kang
