India‑UK Relations Set to Stay on Track as Andy Burnham Becomes Britain’s New Prime Minister

Andy Burnham is poised to step into 10 Downing Street on Monday, taking over from Sir Keir Starmer after being elected unopposed as the Labour Party leader. His arrival comes just days after the India‑UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) slipped into effect on July 15, a milestone that many view as a fresh springboard for bilateral ties.

Even though Burnham has floated a domestic agenda that leans heavily on regional growth and social reform, most strategic observers reckon the overall direction of the India‑UK partnership will stay largely the same. Trade, investment, defence cooperation and broader regional engagement are still expected to dominate the conversation.

Continuity after CETA

“The new prime minister inherits one of the strongest phases in India‑UK relations in over a decade,” says Rahul Roy‑Chaudhury, senior fellow for South Asia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. He adds that Burnham has a real chance to deepen the “prosperity agenda” and turn the fresh defence‑industry dividend into something tangible – especially as India looks to diversify its own defence suppliers while upgrading its own manufacturing capacity.

Burnham’s long‑standing India connections

Burnham isn’t a stranger to India. As mayor of Greater Manchester he visited Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi in 2019 under the banner of the Manchester India Partnership. The trip focused on business, education and innovation, and Burnham came away convinced that India was a “key market” for Manchester’s global ambition.

He highlighted sectors such as digital tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, academia, tourism, sport and cultural exchange as ripe for deeper collaboration. That sentiment was echoed by Vishakha Yaduvanshi, India’s consul‑general in Manchester, who praised Burnham’s “energy and warm support” for north‑England‑India ties.

Recent interactions – a meeting with former Indian high commissioner Vikram Doraiswami in December 2025 and a virtual appearance at the India‑North England Opportunity Summit in March 2026 – reinforce the view that Burnham’s commitment runs deeper than a single visit.

Trade, investment and regional focus

Rajesh Agrawal, chair of Labour Friends of India, notes that Burnham’s track record shows he favours long‑term relationships over quick wins. He points to the direct Manchester‑India flight and the push for stronger university links as evidence of a sustained approach.

Agrawal also suggests that Burnham’s emphasis on devolved governance could dovetail nicely with India’s federal structure, encouraging more state‑to‑state dialogue and projects.

Calls to keep the momentum going

The 1928 Institute warns that while Burnham steps in with a solid foundation, domestic priorities could pull his attention elsewhere. Their recommendation? Set up an India Task Force or appoint an India trade envoy to safeguard the progress made under CETA.

Business community optimism

Lord Karan Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer and co‑chair of the India All‑Party Parliamentary Group, is bullish about the outlook. “Stability for the next three years will let businesses on both sides commit to investment and job creation,” he says, adding that the goal of doubling trade to £100 billion by 2030 feels “well within reach.”

Labour peer and tech entrepreneur Uday Nagaraju echoes the sentiment, saying the next phase will be about converting the trade agreement into real‑world outcomes – from export growth and research partnerships to opportunities for small‑ and medium‑sized firms.

All signs point to a continuation, if not an acceleration, of the partnership that has been building for years. With Burnham at the helm, the UK‑India relationship looks set to stay on course, feeding into both countries’ broader ambitions for prosperity and strategic autonomy.