British Prime Minister Andy Burnham (AP)
India-UK partnership will remain on a strong footing under incoming British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who was elected Labour Party leader in the same week that the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between both the countries came into force, as per the strategic experts forecast.Burnham, 56, was elected unopposed on Friday and is set to take over from Keir Starmer on Monday after the formal transfer of power. While Burnham has promised to chart a different domestic course, experts say Britain’s approach towards India is expected to remain largely unchanged.Vishakha Yaduvanshi, Consul General of India in Manchester, said Burnham has consistently supported stronger ties between India and northern England.“Over this past year, we have valued close engagement with the Greater Manchester authorities, particularly Mr Andy Burnham, whose energy and warm support has done much to strengthen India-North-England ties,” she told PTI.Yaduvanshi noted that Burnham’s 2019 visit to India, his meeting with former Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami in December 2025, and his virtual participation in the India-North England Opportunity Summit in March 2026 reflected his long-standing commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.Burnham has previously described India as a key partner in Greater Manchester’s international strategy. “India is a key market in Greater Manchester’s internationalisation strategy as it presents significant opportunities to the city-region, but these opportunities are mutual, and Greater Manchester is also helping India with its own economic growth plans,” he had said after his India visit.He identified digital technology, engineering, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, academia, tourism, sports and cultural collaboration as priority areas for cooperation.Rajesh Agrawal, chair of Labour Friends of India (LFIN), said Burnham has built strong links with India through business, education and connectivity.“Andy understands that growth comes from longer-term relationships. If you look at his own track record in Manchester, he’s worked to strengthen links with India through businesses, universities, innovation and improving connectivity with a direct flight between India and Manchester,” Agrawal said.He added that Burnham’s emphasis on devolving powers to regional governments could also create new opportunities for cooperation with Indian states.The 1928 Institute, a British Indian think tank, said Burnham would inherit a strong bilateral relationship but suggested creating an India Task Force or appointing an India Trade Envoy to maintain momentum.“From an India policy and diaspora perspective, Andy Burnham would inherit a strong foundation. However, his attention is likely to be pulled in several directions, particularly given the domestic focus of his agenda,” said institute chair Dr Nikita Ved.Lord Karan Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer and co-chair of the India All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), expressed confidence that Burnham would continue to prioritise India.“We need to double our trade, going from nearly 50 billion pounds today to 100 billion pounds by 2030… I’m very confident of a very bright future for the UK and India from now onwards,” Bilimoria said.“I think the next stage [for India-UK ties] will be about converting the trade agreement into investment, exports, jobs, research partnerships, and opportunities for smaller companies in both countries,” Tech entrepreneur and Labour peer Uday Nagaraju added.(With inputs from PTI)
