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IGF celebrates UK-India trade partnership
Awards come weeks before UK-India trade pact takes effect.
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Ankita Baidya - Sat, 27, Jun 2026
- 06:20 EDT
- 20
Goyal receiving the award / X/ PiyushGoyal
The India Global Forum (IGF) presented its Annual UK-India Awards 2026 in London on June 25, recognizing political, business, and institutional leaders whose work has strengthened bilateral ties, with this year's ceremony carrying added significance ahead of the implementation of the UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) next month.
India's Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal attended the gala as chief guest during his three-day visit to the United Kingdom, which is focused on preparations for the trade agreement's implementation.
Also Read: India, US conclude series of meetings to advance mutually beneficial bilateral trade pact
One of the evening's highest honours, the Exceptional Leadership in Elevating UK-India Ties award, was presented jointly to Goyal and the Indian and British negotiating teams that concluded the free trade agreement after 14 rounds of negotiations. The teams received a standing ovation in recognition of their work across multiple policy areas through changes in government in both countries.
Accepting the award alongside UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle and IGF Founder Manoj Ladwa, Goyal said the agreement extends beyond tariffs and market access to encompass collaboration in technology, education, culture, and the arts.
"I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that this will be a success, and this CETA will become a template, a role model for many other free trade agreements in the future," Goyal said, according to ANI.
The trade agreement was concluded on May 6, 2025, and formally signed in London on July 24, 2025, by Goyal and then UK Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds in the presence of Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer. The agreement, along with the accompanying Double Contribution Convention (DCC) on social security, is scheduled to come into force on July 15, 2026.
Other award recipients included Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairperson of Biocon Group, who received the Lifetime Contribution to UK-India Relations award, and banker Uday Kotak, who was recognised for Exceptional Leadership in UK-India Financial Services. Organisations including Grant Thornton, Wockhardt, the British Council, the British Asian Trust, and the Premier League were also honoured for their contributions to the UK-India partnership across business, education, healthcare, social impact, and sport.
Among those attending the black-tie event was Prashant Ruia, Group Chief Executive of Essar Group, who said on X that the gathering brought together policymakers, business leaders, and industry partners to celebrate the growing UK-India relationship. He noted that the imminent implementation of CETA made this year's event especially significant.
It was a pleasure to attend the India Global Forum’s UK–India Awards in London alongside Arvan & EET colleagues.
— Prashant Ruia (@prashantruia) June 26, 2026
Congratulations to @manojladwa and the entire India Global Forum team for convening another outstanding event, bringing together distinguished guests, policymakers,… pic.twitter.com/PlM2wXxjNw
The IGF Awards brought together government officials, investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to discuss trade, investment, technology, and innovation as the two countries prepare to operationalise their trade agreement.
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