Andy Burnham is set to enter 10 Downing Street on Monday after being elected unopposed as the Labour Party leader, succeeding Sir Keir Starmer. His arrival comes just days after the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) came into force, prompting expectations that the bilateral relationship will continue to strengthen despite the change in leadership.
While Burnham has pledged a different domestic agenda, strategic experts and diplomats believe the trajectory of India-UK ties will remain largely unchanged, with trade, investment, defence and regional cooperation expected to remain key priorities.
Continuity expected after CETA
Burnham’s elevation follows the implementation of the landmark India-UK CETA on July 15, a deal widely seen as a major milestone in bilateral relations. Rahul Roy-Chaudhury, Senior Fellow for South Asia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), believes the new prime minister inherits one of the strongest phases in India-UK relations in more than a decade.
“New PM Andy Burnham has an opportunity to deepen these improved India-UK ties, deliver on the prosperity agenda and ensure a landmark dividend on bilateral defence and strategic cooperation with India, which looks to diversify its defence relationships while modernising its armed forces capability and boosting defence manufacturing in order to export to the world.”
Burnham’s longstanding engagement with India
Burnham has maintained close links with India during his tenure as Mayor of Greater Manchester. His 2019 visit to Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi, organised by the Manchester India Partnership (MIP), focused on strengthening cooperation across business, education and innovation.
Speaking during that visit, Burnham highlighted India’s importance to Greater Manchester’s global 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 identified digital technology, engineering, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, academia, tourism, sport and cultural collaboration as areas with significant potential.
Indian diplomats see stronger regional engagement
India’s Consul General in Manchester, Vishakha Yaduvanshi, said Burnham has consistently supported closer 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 noted that Burnham’s 2019 India visit, his meeting with former Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami in December 2025 and his participation in the India-North England Opportunity Summit earlier this year reflect his long-term commitment to the partnership.
“His 2019 visit to India, meeting with the former Indian high commissioner [Vikram Doraiswami] in December 2025, and his virtual participation in the India-North England Opportunity Summit [March 2026] reflect a longstanding commitment to this partnership.”
Focus on trade, investment and regional cooperation
Rajesh Agrawal, chair of Labour Friends of India (LFIN), said Burnham’s record suggests he values sustained engagement over short-term initiatives.
“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 also believes Burnham’s emphasis on devolved governance could create stronger links with India’s federal system by encouraging engagement with individual states.
Calls to sustain momentum
The 1928 Institute said Burnham takes office with a strong foundation but urged the new government to maintain focus on India despite competing domestic priorities.
“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.”
“It would therefore be prudent to establish an India Task Force and/or appoint an India Trade Envoy, to maintain the current momentum.”
Business leaders optimistic
Lord Karan Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer and co-chair of the India All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), expressed confidence that Burnham would continue prioritising India while bringing greater political stability.
“Stability for at least for the next three years until the next general election, so that businesses in the UK and in India can invest in each other’s countries… which will create jobs on both sides.”
He added, “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.”
Tech entrepreneur and Labour peer Uday Nagaraju also said Burnham inherits an exceptionally strong bilateral relationship and is expected to build on it.
“It would also be combined with Andy Burnham’s own characteristic focus, based on his work in Manchester on regional growth, skills, infrastructure, and bringing government and business together.”
“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.”
(With PTI inputs)
