West Midlands Mayoral Mission to India 2026
Ahmedabad – Mumbai – Bengaluru
WMGC supported the West Midlands Mayoral Mission to India in February 2026, helping deliver a strategic trade mission designed to strengthen economic, cultural and political ties between the West Midlands and India.
Led by Mayor Richard Parker, the delegation visited Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru to meet investors, businesses and government leaders, turning the UK–India Free Trade Agreement into real opportunities for the region.
Working across investment, trade and tourism, the West Midlands Growth Company positioned the West Midlands as the UK’s leading destination for Indian investment outside London, while supporting engagement with major partners, including Tata Group, and high-growth Indian businesses looking to expand internationally.
The mission also promoted stronger tourism and cultural connections, reinforcing the West Midlands’ long-standing relationship with India and helping raise the region’s global profile for future investment, jobs and growth.
About the Mission
The aims of the visit were to:
- Promote trade and investment between the West Midlands and India
- Strengthen political, academic and commercial partnerships
- Reinforce the region's position as a gateway for Indian investment into the UK
- Build on Commonwealth Games legacy ties ahead of Ahmedabad 2030
The mission included sector-specific roundtables, high-level networking engagements, investor meetings and cultural exchange activity.
The Delegation
A key strength of the India mission was the scale and diversity of the delegation brought together by West Midlands Growth Company, creating a strong regional presence that reflected the breadth of the West Midlands economy.
Led by Mayor Richard Parker, the delegation brought together senior leaders from across local government, academia, business, tourism, sport, and investment, ensuring the region was represented by voices from both the public and private sectors. Alongside WMGC Chief Executive Neil Rami, key figures included Dr Julie Nugent of Coventry City Council, senior representatives from Aston University, Birmingham City University, the University of Birmingham, and the University of Warwick, as well as partners from E.ON, VisitBritain, Birmingham Airport, Create Central, and leading West Midlands businesses.
This mix of institutions gave the mission greater credibility and influence, allowing conversations to move beyond investment promotion into practical collaboration across education, innovation, advanced manufacturing, energy, tourism, and the visitor economy.
By curating a delegation with both strategic leadership and sector expertise, WMGC ensured the West Midlands was presented not as a single organisation, but as a connected regional ecosystem ready to deliver long-term international partnerships, investment opportunities, and shared growth.
The Impact
The West Midlands trade mission to India focused on Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru because each city connects strongly to the region’s long-term economic strengths and international ambitions.
Bengaluru was included for its position as India’s leading centre for technology, AI, advanced engineering and research, offering clear opportunities for collaboration in innovation-led sectors.
Mumbai, as India’s main financial and commercial hub, provided access to global business networks, investment partners and creative industries, making it a key gateway for trade and international growth.
Ahmedabad was selected for its strategic importance in Gujarat, a region with strong ties to the West Midlands and its role as host of the 2030 Commonwealth Games, offering a chance to build on the legacy of Birmingham 2022 and create opportunities for long-term sporting, cultural and economic links.
The Mission supported inward investment and protected existing partnerships with major employers already linked to the region. Strengthening these relationships helped secure long-term jobs, encouraged further expansion and built confidence in the West Midlands as a place to invest.
The visit also strengthened the West Midlands’ position as a destination for tourism and business travel. By engaging with travel operators and tourism partners in India, the delegation promoted Birmingham and the wider West Midlands as an attractive destination for leisure, business and cultural travel. Increased visitor numbers will support local hotels, restaurants, retail and major attractions across the region.
Overall, the trip delivered more than international visibility - it created stronger foundations for jobs, investment, trade, and long-term regional growth, ensuring that global opportunities translate into local benefits for businesses and communities across the West Midlands.
