Fadnavis said the state government would ensure swift coordination among relevant departments through the ‘Invest Maharashtra’ platform to facilitate and accelerate investment projects. He described the visit of UK secretaries, mayors and senior officials as an opportunity to convert shared ambitions into concrete business partnerships and agreements rather than limiting the engagement to a formal diplomatic exercise.
Following bilateral discussions with the high-level UK delegation, memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were exchanged to strengthen cooperation across several key sectors.
Highlighting Maharashtra’s economic strengths, Fadnavis described Mumbai as a global hub for finance, trade and entrepreneurship, while identifying Pune as a major centre for engineering, automobiles, manufacturing and information technology. He said the state’s skilled workforce, established industrial clusters and network of experienced partners serving international clients made Maharashtra an attractive destination for global investors.
On education, the Chief Minister said the National Education Policy had opened the way for foreign universities to establish campuses in Maharashtra. He cited the University of Bristol, the University of York and the University of Aberdeen among the institutions establishing a presence in the state.
He also highlighted proposed projects such as EduCity, Medicity and AI Innovation City, which would bring together research institutions, educational facilities and skilled talent to strengthen Maharashtra’s capabilities.
Fadnavis identified several areas of investment potential for British companies, including clean energy, industrial carbon-emission reduction, energy efficiency, water management, transportation and resource recycling. He assured international companies of the state government’s support in establishing Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and technology research centres in Maharashtra.
The Chief Minister said the partnership could also help Maharashtra-based manufacturers, food-processing industries, technology firms and small entrepreneurs access new markets in the UK. He expressed confidence that cooperation between Maharashtra and the UK would extend beyond formal agreements to generate tangible industrial activity, business opportunities and employment.
UK Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Trade Jonathan Reynolds described Maharashtra as a natural destination for British companies seeking to expand into the Indian market. He said the state had been selected for its economic strengths, political stability and leadership, noting that Maharashtra’s economy was larger than Norway’s.
Reynolds emphasised that the delegation was focused on achieving tangible outcomes rather than merely signing agreements. He expressed hope that stakeholders from both sides would work together to strengthen the partnership and accelerate economic progress in both countries.
Maharashtra Protocol Minister Jaykumar Rawal, Industries Department Principal Secretary P. Anbalagan, Chief Protocol Officer Rajesh Gawande and Chief Minister’s Investment Adviser Kaustubh Dhavse attended the event.
The UK delegation also included Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Dame Angela Eagle; UK Secretary of State Douglas Alexander; Director for EU and International Trade Sophie Bryce; UK Deputy Trade Commissioner for South Asia Harshbir Sangha; and UK Trade Commissioner for South Asia and Deputy High Commissioner for Western India Harjinder Kang, along with mayors and other senior officials.
The Maharashtra-UK initiative aims to translate bilateral discussions and exchanged MoUs into practical cooperation across industry, technology, education and clean energy, while creating opportunities for businesses and supporting employment generation in both countries.
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