Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday met senior executives from leading global companies in London, where discussions centred on expanding investment, strengthening business partnerships and advancing the India-UK growth agenda ahead of the implementation of the bilateral trade agreement next month.

During his visit to the United Kingdom, Goyal also urged businesses to pursue more ambitious growth targets, increase exports and capitalise on opportunities emerging from the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which is scheduled to come into effect on July 15.

Goyal Meets UK India Business Council Members

Goyal held an interactive luncheon meeting with members of the UK India Business Council, engaging with C-suite executives from major international organisations, including Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Group, HSBC, Prudential and Baker McKenzie.

Sharing details of the interaction on X, the minister said discussions focused on expanding economic cooperation and accelerating investment flows between the two countries.

“Had an interactive luncheon meeting with UK India Business Council members, engaging with C-suite representatives from leading global organisations including Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Group, HSBC, Prudential, and Baker McKenzie on advancing the India-UK growth agenda,” Goyal said.

Had an interactive luncheon meeting with @UKIBC members, engaging with C-suite representatives from leading global organisations including @TCS, @TataCompanies, @HSBC, @Prudential, and @BakerMcKenzie on advancing the India-UK growth agenda.

The discussions focused on unlocking… pic.twitter.com/9eLCs9pf7W

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) June 26, 2026

He added that the talks centred on “unlocking new opportunities, accelerating investments, and deepening collaboration across sectors to foster shared growth while further strengthening India’s global competitiveness.”

Push For Greater Trade And Investment

Earlier, addressing a business plenary session, Goyal interacted with industry leaders and stakeholders on opportunities for trade, investment and economic expansion between India and the United Kingdom.

The minister called for greater Indian exports to the UK, arguing that significant untapped potential remains and that India should target a larger share of the British market.

He highlighted the opportunities expected to emerge from the implementation of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, describing it as an important step towards boosting bilateral economic engagement.

Goyal stressed that collaboration, partnerships and stronger business linkages would be critical to achieving faster growth and unlocking the full benefits of the agreement.

Calls For Higher Growth Ambitions

During his address, Goyal urged Indian businesses to move beyond incremental growth targets and pursue transformational expansion.

He said the global community increasingly views India as a key driver of future economic growth and expects the country to deliver on that potential.

“I do believe that what we will seize now will become very valuable. Very often in our cosy comfort, we lose track, time passes by. And then we get into the typical rut of claiming success when we have 5, 7, or 10% growth,” he said.

Goyal argued that limiting ambitions to modest growth levels would fall short of international expectations from India.

“International trade normally grows at 4 to 6%, or 5%. If that is the kind of level of ambition that we will keep as a nation, it’ll be completely a betrayal of the trust that the world has in us today,” he said.

Questions Global Rating Agencies’ Assessment

The minister also criticised global credit rating agencies, saying India’s economic performance and long-term potential have not been adequately recognised.

He said agencies such as Fitch, Moody’s and S&P had been unfair in their assessment of India’s growth story despite the country’s strong economic fundamentals and capabilities.

According to Goyal, India’s resilience, competitiveness and expanding role in the global economy warrant greater recognition from international institutions.

His remarks come as India and the United Kingdom prepare for the rollout of CETA, which is expected to further strengthen trade, investment and economic cooperation between the two countries.

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