Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

UK will have a post-Brexit trade deal with India, says Catherine McGuinness

The City of London Corporation's Policy Chair Catherine McGuinness believes the future of India-UK ties looks “rosy”. Brexit, she assures, would in no way hamper the relations that “continue to blossom”.

“The UK and India already have strong ties. We have been the top G20 investor in India over the last 10 years, and bilateral trade stands at over £20 billion,” said McGuinness in a recent interview to The Hindu BusinessLine. “I don’t think Brexit can dampen anything in this story.”


McGuinness, who was on a two-day visit to India, said the country was “in a really exciting place”, thanks to some of the reform measures initiated by the Modi government, especially the changes in the “insolvency regime”.

The India-UK ties could get only stronger with steady government support from both sides, she said. Work, she elaborated, was already underway “through the ongoing UK-India Joint Trade Review, the only one of its kind the UK has with any other country, and one which will lay the framework for the future trade partnership”.

She also pointed to the Joint Economic and Trade Committee looking at strategic economic ties, and the Economic and Financial Dialogue, focusing on trade and investment relations.

“Add to this mix,” she said, “the commitment by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to making India one of his first destinations for an overseas visit following his re-election, and the future looks rather rosy for us both.”

Things looked brighter and there was “a lot more certainty” than there was, as both India and UK were having governments with strong majorities, she opined. “… I am sure there will be a post-Brexit trade deal between India and the UK, but do remember these things take time.”

McGuinness said there was plenty of scope for enhancing ties in the green financing sector, “looking at the opportunities for investors through London to invest in green infrastructure projects here [Indian]”.

On the issue of immigration, she said the UK would “remain open to international talent”, and termed the increase in work and student visa applications from India “great”.

“We have seen significantly more work visas given to Indians in the last year than any other country―we had more than 50,000 work visas last year,” she highlighted. “The next highest is the US with around 10,000. That's really staggering.”

Talking of Brexit’s impact on London as a global financial centre, McGuinness said “it will remain so long into the future”. Brexit meant there was “more business to be done”, she added.

“I would send a strong message of reassurance and confidence: We are not just about EU-facing business. There is a whole world besides.”

More For You

Baiju Bhatt

At 40, Bhatt is the only person of Indian origin in this group, which includes figures such as Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg. (Photo: Getty Images)

Baiju Bhatt named among youngest billionaires in US by Forbes

INDIAN-AMERICAN entrepreneur Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of the commission-free trading platform Robinhood, has been named among the 10 youngest billionaires in the United States in the 2025 Forbes 400 list.

At 40, Bhatt is the only person of Indian origin in this group, which includes figures such as Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg. Forbes estimates his net worth at around USD 6–7 billion (£4.4–5.1 billion), primarily from his roughly 6 per cent ownership in Robinhood.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK business district
The Canary Wharf business district including global financial institutions in London. (Photo: Getty Images)
Getty Images

Economy shows no growth in July amid political turbulence

UK's ECONOMY showed no growth in July, according to official data released on Friday, adding to a difficult week for prime minister Keir Starmer’s government.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said gross domestic product was flat in July, following a 0.4 per cent rise in June.

Keep ReadingShow less
India’s IT sector

India’s $283 billion IT industry, which contributes more than 7 per cent to the country’s GDP, has for over three decades provided services to major clients including Apple, American Express, Cisco, Citigroup, FedEx and Home Depot.

iStock

India’s IT sector faces uncertainty as US proposes 25 per cent outsourcing tax

INDIA’s IT sector is facing uncertainty as US lawmakers consider a 25 per cent tax on companies using foreign outsourcing services.

Analysts and lawyers said the proposal has led to customers delaying or re-negotiating contracts, raising concerns in India, the world’s largest outsourcing hub.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rachel Reeves

'Our economy isn't broken, but it does feel stuck,' Reeves said, speaking alongside the release of a finance ministry report on business property taxation, known as rates.

Getty Images

Reeves signals possible changes to business property taxes ahead of budget

CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves said on Thursday she is considering changes to business property taxes to support small firms looking to expand, as part of her plans to boost growth.

Reeves’ comments come ahead of her annual budget on November 26, at a time when concerns about possible tax rises and inflation are weighing on businesses and households.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rachel Reeves

Reeves pledged to keep a tight hold on spending to reduce inflation and borrowing costs amid concerns over Britain’s fiscal outlook.

Getty Images

Reeves urges ministers to back Bank of England on inflation

CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves has said the government must support the Bank of England in bringing down inflation while also focusing on growth, ahead of a budget later this year that is expected to include tax rises.

Last week, Reeves said the economy was not “broken” as she announced November 26 as the date for her annual budget.

Keep ReadingShow less