India grows UK footprint, opens consulates in Belfast, Manchester

India is opening two new consulates—one in Belfast and another in Manchester—in the United Kingdom on Wednesday, a British foreign ministry statement said.

The UK-India partnership will strengthen further with the opening of the consulates, boosting regional economic ties and delivering on the growth agenda, the statement said.

The move comes as the UK welcomes Indian investment deals worth more than £100 million, which is creating jobs, strengthening growth, and helping working people by putting more money in their pockets, the statement added.

Before opening the consulates, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar, who is on a visit to the UK, is expected to meet with British foreign secretary David Lammy at Chevening House.

At Chevening, the foreign ministers will drive forward the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, focusing on fostering mutual economic growth, technological innovation, and collaboration on global challenges, including climate change.

The ministers will also discuss Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, the Middle East and other global affairs.

“One of my first visits as foreign secretary was to India because deepening our partnership for our shared growth and security is a key part of this government’s Plan for Change, Lammy said in the statement.

“Jaishankar and I are supercharging our £41 billion trading relationship with India, after trade talks were relaunched in Delhi. It is the floor, not the ceiling of our ambitions that will benefit both our economies,” he said.

“The opening of the consulates demonstrate the growing links between our peoples and how we are working together to deliver growth not only in London, but right across the UK. This expansion of India’s diplomatic presence will further boost our trading relationship and support the valued Indian community,” he added.

The ministers were set to discuss the Technology Security Initiative, launched during Lammy visit to Delhi last July.

They will discuss the opportunities for citizens in both countries that will come from closer collaboration in sectors such as AI, telecom and critical minerals. Opportunities include more effective and affordable healthcare and more resilient supply chains, as well as greater innovation, investment and job creation, the statement added.

Jaishankar’s visit will “highlight the living bridge” between the UK and India, including a special reception with Chevening scholars at Chevening House, celebrating India’s position as home to the world’s largest Chevening program, the statement said.