India sends first-ever women-led trade mission to the United Kingdom following historic FTA
2 MIN READ
Press release
United Kingdom
12 February 2026
(London) – Indian women entrepreneurs are visiting the United Kingdom to explore new commercial partnerships and expand trade ties with buyers, as part of the first women-focused trade mission from India to the United Kingdom since the two countries concluded a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) last year.
The United Kingdom–India FTA includes India’s first standalone chapter on Trade and Gender Equality, underscoring the countries’ shared commitment to inclusive trade and women’s economic empowerment. The agreement is expected to significantly boost bilateral trade between the two countries, including in products ranging from textiles to jewellery, automobiles and food products.
Find top-traded products between the United Kingdom and India on the ITC Trade Map.
The trade mission takes place under the International Trade Centre’s (ITC) SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme, funded by the United Kingdom, which connects export-ready businesses in the agrifood and textiles and apparel sectors with buyers, distributors and retailers in the United Kingdom.
The mission is led by ITC, with the ITC SheTrades India Hub hosted by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), in collaboration with United Kingdom business associations and the High Commission of India in London.
By connecting women-owned enterprises directly with United Kingdom buyers, the mission helps turn a commitment to gender equality in trade into practical export opportunities and commercially sustainable partnerships.
The United Kingdom–India FTA includes India’s first standalone chapter on Trade and Gender Equality, underscoring the countries’ shared commitment to inclusive trade and women’s economic empowerment. The agreement is expected to significantly boost bilateral trade between the two countries, including in products ranging from textiles to jewellery, automobiles and food products.
Find top-traded products between the United Kingdom and India on the ITC Trade Map.
The trade mission takes place under the International Trade Centre’s (ITC) SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme, funded by the United Kingdom, which connects export-ready businesses in the agrifood and textiles and apparel sectors with buyers, distributors and retailers in the United Kingdom.
The mission is led by ITC, with the ITC SheTrades India Hub hosted by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), in collaboration with United Kingdom business associations and the High Commission of India in London.
By connecting women-owned enterprises directly with United Kingdom buyers, the mission helps turn a commitment to gender equality in trade into practical export opportunities and commercially sustainable partnerships.
Connecting business to business
Thirteen women-led businesses from across India are taking part in a five-day programme on 10 to 13 February, with targeted business-to-business meetings and company visits in London, Manchester and Yorkshire. Participating companies offer a range of high-value, export-ready products, including geographical indication-tagged silks, handloom and handwoven textiles, specialty food products and tropical fruits. Many of the businesses already meet consumer expectations for sustainable, responsible and inclusive supply chains.
The programme opened on 10 February with a high-level roundtable at India House in London hosted by Nidhi Mani Tripathi, Minister (Economic) at the High Commission of India and formerly India’s Chief Negotiator for the United Kingdom–India FTA. The roundtable brought the business delegation together with senior United Kingdom and Indian trade officials to discuss trade opportunities for women entrepreneurs, as reflected in Chapter 23 of the United Kingdom–India FTA.
The delegation also met Seema Malhotra, United Kingdom Minister for the Indo-Pacific, noting the United Kingdom’s commitment to gender-inclusive economic growth and emphasizing the value of making direct business connections for women-led businesses, with the SheTrades Hubs in South Asia playing a key role in facilitating targeted market access for women entrepreneurs in the region.
Shri S C Ralhan, FIEO President, said the SheTrades India–United Kingdom trade delegation showcases the growing global leadership of Indian women entrepreneurs across key export sectors and industries driven by micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). FIEO remains committed to empowering women-led MSMEs and integrating them into global value chains to drive inclusive and sustainable export growth.
United Kingdom and Indian bilateral trade, worth £47.4 billion,[1] is estimated to increase by £25.5 billion[2] as a result of the FTA, with both sides pursuing further mutually beneficial economic growth, with women’s increased participation in trade a key part of that ambition.
Closing gender gaps in economic participation could boost GDP by up to 12%,[3] according to the Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD), highlighting the substantial economic gains linked to women’s full involvement in global markets. Initiatives like ITC SheTrades, together with the Trade and Gender Equality Chapter in the United Kingdom–India FTA, help ensure that women‑led businesses are better positioned to access international opportunities and contribute fully to the sustainable economic growth of their countries.
[1] In the four quarters ending Q3 2025. Source DBT Trade and Investment Factsheet, 2 Feb 2026
[2] Growth estimated in the long run. Source DBT UK-India CETA Impact Assessment
[3] OECD (2025), Gender Equality in a Changing World: Taking Stock and Moving Forward, Gender Equality at Work, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/e808086f-en
The programme opened on 10 February with a high-level roundtable at India House in London hosted by Nidhi Mani Tripathi, Minister (Economic) at the High Commission of India and formerly India’s Chief Negotiator for the United Kingdom–India FTA. The roundtable brought the business delegation together with senior United Kingdom and Indian trade officials to discuss trade opportunities for women entrepreneurs, as reflected in Chapter 23 of the United Kingdom–India FTA.
The delegation also met Seema Malhotra, United Kingdom Minister for the Indo-Pacific, noting the United Kingdom’s commitment to gender-inclusive economic growth and emphasizing the value of making direct business connections for women-led businesses, with the SheTrades Hubs in South Asia playing a key role in facilitating targeted market access for women entrepreneurs in the region.
Shri S C Ralhan, FIEO President, said the SheTrades India–United Kingdom trade delegation showcases the growing global leadership of Indian women entrepreneurs across key export sectors and industries driven by micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). FIEO remains committed to empowering women-led MSMEs and integrating them into global value chains to drive inclusive and sustainable export growth.
United Kingdom and Indian bilateral trade, worth £47.4 billion,[1] is estimated to increase by £25.5 billion[2] as a result of the FTA, with both sides pursuing further mutually beneficial economic growth, with women’s increased participation in trade a key part of that ambition.
Closing gender gaps in economic participation could boost GDP by up to 12%,[3] according to the Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD), highlighting the substantial economic gains linked to women’s full involvement in global markets. Initiatives like ITC SheTrades, together with the Trade and Gender Equality Chapter in the United Kingdom–India FTA, help ensure that women‑led businesses are better positioned to access international opportunities and contribute fully to the sustainable economic growth of their countries.
[1] In the four quarters ending Q3 2025. Source DBT Trade and Investment Factsheet, 2 Feb 2026
[2] Growth estimated in the long run. Source DBT UK-India CETA Impact Assessment
[3] OECD (2025), Gender Equality in a Changing World: Taking Stock and Moving Forward, Gender Equality at Work, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/e808086f-en
Notes for the editor
About the SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme in India – The SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme in India is funded by the United Kingdom and implemented by ITC in collaboration with FIEO. The programme supports women’s participation in trade by engaging business support organizations to foster an enabling gender-inclusive business ecosystem, and connecting women-led businesses across Commonwealth countries and their key trading partners to enhance competitiveness and access to global markets. India is 20th SheTrades Hub within the Commonwealth countries
About ITC – The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
For more information, visit www.intracen.org.
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About FIEO – The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), established in 1965 by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, is the premier apex body for trade promotion in India. Recognized as a vital partner in driving the country’s export growth, FIEO was created with the mission to channel the efforts of all stakeholders in trade facilitation and accelerate the expansion of both goods and services exports. FIEO, being a gender-neutral organisation, has been working to promote international trade by way of proactive policy advocacy. FIEO aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) – SDG 5, SDG 8, SDG 9, SDG 10, SDG 12 and SDG 17 and upholds inclusive and sustainable growth.
About ITC – The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
For more information, visit www.intracen.org.
Follow ITC on Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Flickr
About FIEO – The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), established in 1965 by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, is the premier apex body for trade promotion in India. Recognized as a vital partner in driving the country’s export growth, FIEO was created with the mission to channel the efforts of all stakeholders in trade facilitation and accelerate the expansion of both goods and services exports. FIEO, being a gender-neutral organisation, has been working to promote international trade by way of proactive policy advocacy. FIEO aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) – SDG 5, SDG 8, SDG 9, SDG 10, SDG 12 and SDG 17 and upholds inclusive and sustainable growth.