The UK-India Free Trade Agreement: A Potential Catalyst for Deeper Engagement in Global Capability Centres (GCCs)

• The UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) could redefine bilateral economic engagement, particularly in the rapidly evolving ecosystem of Global Capability Centres (GCCs).

• India leads in GCCs, employing over 1.9 million people and contributing significantly to global innovation and digital transformation agendas.

• The FTA could ease regulatory barriers, facilitate smoother professional movement, and harmonize digital and data governance standards, supporting the expansion of GCCs serving U.K.-headquartered businesses or leveraging British expertise to serve global markets from India.

• The FTA presents a timely opportunity to secure access to one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies and reinforce its global services and innovation footprint post-Brexit.

• The UKIBC believes the future of trade lies in services, skills, and technology that power the new global economy, and the GCCs stand at the intersection of all three.

• The FTA can pave the way for easier cross-border collaboration, robust intellectual property frameworks, and smart mobility solutions that allow talent to move where it is most needed.

• India’s current policy environment is highly conducive for GCC growth, even without a dedicated national GCC policy.

• State governments are rolling out landmark policies to promote GCCs, improve talent, infrastructure, innovation, and legal facilitation.

• The UKIBC recently held a closed-door consultation to explore the expanding role of GCCs in driving innovation and economic growth in India.

• The partnership between the U.K. and India can shape a resilient, knowledge-based corridor, with GCCs contributing to this evolving partnership.