UK India trade deal talks boost green finance and digital investment

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April 13, 2025
4 min read

UK India trade deal talks boost green finance and digital investment

At a time when UK India trade deal talks are gaining pace, leaders from both nations gathered at Mansion House this week for a high-level roundtable focused on strengthening collaboration in financial services, green investment, and digital innovation.

Hosted by the Lord Mayor of London, Alastair King, the meeting welcomed Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds. Representatives from major pension funds, asset managers, and financial institutions also took part, reflecting growing investor interest in a closer partnership between the two economies.

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The roundtable was held ahead of the India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue, with discussions centred on accelerating investment into high-growth sectors like fintech, green energy, and life sciences. It also touched on developing new Public-Private Partnerships for infrastructure and capital mobilisation, with the City of London’s global financial standing playing a key role in delivering future investment.

“This was a highly constructive discussion,” said Lord Mayor Alastair King. “There is a strong, shared commitment to deepen our economic partnership and drive greater prosperity, particularly in key areas such as green finance, infrastructure investment, and fintech. As we continue negotiations around a UK India trade deal, our focus remains on delivering tangible outcomes in the months to come.”

The talks come on the heels of the Lord Mayor’s recent visit to Mumbai, where he met financial leaders to explore shared priorities, from streamlining cross-border transactions to addressing regulatory challenges that currently limit institutional investment flows.

Finance Minister Sitharaman said the meeting showed a “clear and mutual intent” to strengthen the relationship, with an eye on digital payments and green capital. “India and the UK share a strong and evolving economic partnership. Today’s roundtable provided a valuable opportunity to build on that by discussing how we can mobilise capital for infrastructure, develop collaboration in UPI and digitalisation, and drive mutual growth,” she said.

UK Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds also voiced optimism about the direction of the talks. “Both the UK and India are committed to delivering economic growth and giving businesses the confidence and stability they need to expand,” he said. “That is why we’re continuing to negotiate an ambitious trade deal that supports our Plan for Change and opens new doors for British businesses.”

As discussions around the UK-India Free Trade Agreement and Bilateral Investment Treaty continue, the City of London is positioning itself as a bridge for long-term institutional investment and sustainable growth across borders.

To find out more about how the City is shaping the future of financial services, visit the City of London Corporation’s financial services page.

For more updates on UK India trade relations and the role of London as a global finance hub, visit EyeOnLondon City. We’d love to hear your views in the comments.