UK Parliament Hosts UK–India Leaders Conference 2026 Ahead of Landmark Free Trade Agreement

London | 13 July 2026

The Europe India Centre for Business & Industry (EICBI) successfully convened the UK–India Leaders Conference 2026 at the UK Parliament, London, on 13 July 2026, bringing together parliamentarians, policymakers, diplomats, business leaders, legal experts, academics, and industry professionals to discuss the future of the UK–India economic partnership.

Held under the theme "From Agreement to Action: Unlocking the Opportunities of the UK–India Free Trade Agreement," the conference took place just two days before the UK–India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) entered into force on 15 July 2026, making it one of the first high-level forums dedicated to translating the agreement into practical business opportunities.

The event marked EICBI's 31st session at the UK Parliament and its 38th parliamentary session across Europe since 2011, reaffirming the organisation's longstanding commitment to fostering strategic dialogue between Europe and India.

Parliamentary participation.

Distinguished Parliamentary Participation

The conference commenced with keynote addresses from senior political and business leaders, including Navendu Mishra MP, Sonia Kumar MP, Lord Rami Ranger, Baroness Pola Uddin, Lord Kuldip Sahota, and Advocate CA Harsh Patel, Founder & CEO of Water & Shark.

Their contributions highlighted the significance of the UK–India Free Trade Agreement and the opportunities it presents for businesses, investors, professionals, and institutions across both countries. Discussions emphasised that while the agreement provides the policy framework, its long-term success will depend on effective implementation, business preparedness, regulatory cooperation, and sustained public-private collaboration.

Official launch of the report.

Launch of the UK–India CETA Strategic Report

A key highlight of the conference was the unveiling of the preview edition of Water & Shark's strategic report, "UK–India CETA: From Agreement to Business Readiness," at the UK Parliament during the conference.

Developed in association with EICBI, the report serves as a practical resource for businesses, investors, policymakers, and institutions preparing for the next phase of UK–India economic engagement.

The report explores emerging opportunities across trade, investment, and cross-border advisory services, while providing strategic insights into market-entry pathways, regulatory considerations, investment readiness, and sector-specific opportunities arising from the implementation of CETA. As the agreement enters into force on 15 July 2026, the report offers timely guidance to organisations seeking to strengthen their presence across the India–UK corridor.

The preview was formally unveiled in the presence of Sonia Kumar MP, Lord Rami Ranger, and Lord Kuldip Sahota, alongside Mr Sujit S. Nair, Chairman of EICBI and Managing Director & Senior Partner, Water & Shark; Advocate CA Harsh Patel, Founder & CEO, Water & Shark; and Dr David Bozward, Chair of the Global Research Board, Water & Shark. The session was also attended by Baroness Pola Uddin and Navendu Mishra MP, further underscoring the strong parliamentary support for strengthening UK–India relations.

The distinguished panel.

From Agreement to Action

The conference featured a high-level panel discussion titled "From Agreement to Action: Unlocking the Opportunities of the UK–India Free Trade Agreement," moderated by Prof. Monomita Nandy, Professor of Accounting and Finance at Brunel Business School.

The panel brought together Harjot Singh, Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England & Wales and Advocate at the Supreme Court of India; Sujit S. Nair, Chairman of EICBI; Dr David Bozward, Chair of Global Research Board, Water & Shark; and Sarah Palmer, CEO of the Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers.

Discussions examined how CETA can unlock opportunities across trade, investment, innovation, professional services, resilient supply chains, and professional mobility, while highlighting the importance of internationally recognised professional qualifications, workforce development, business readiness, and regulatory cooperation to ensure the agreement delivers tangible economic outcomes.

Strengthening the UK–India Economic Corridor

With CETA entering into force on 15 July 2026, participants recognised the agreement as a transformative milestone in UK–India relations. The conference underscored the need for continued collaboration between governments, businesses, educational institutions, and industry bodies to maximise the agreement's long-term economic benefits.

Discussions reflected a shared commitment to fostering innovation-led growth, expanding bilateral investment, strengthening commercial partnerships, and enhancing the competitiveness of businesses operating across both markets.

Advancing Strategic Parliamentary Engagement

The UK–India Leaders Conference 2026 further strengthened EICBI's role as a leading platform for Track 1.5 diplomacy and parliamentary engagement across Europe. Through dialogue, thought leadership, stakeholder engagement, networking, and the launch of strategic policy research, the conference created valuable opportunities for participants to exchange perspectives, establish new partnerships, and contribute to shaping the future of UK–India economic cooperation.

As the UK–India Free Trade Agreement moves from negotiation to implementation, the conference reinforced a shared vision of building a resilient, innovation-driven, and future-oriented partnership founded on trade, investment, skills, and sustainable economic growth.