New Delhi: Karan Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer and founding Chairman of the UK India Business Council, has called for India and the United Kingdom to strengthen bilateral cooperation beyond trade and investment, with greater collaboration in defence, security, education and innovation. In an interview with The New Indian Express, Bilimoria said the implementation of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on July 15, 2026, presents an opportunity to deepen economic ties and build a broader strategic partnership between the two countries.
Assessing the global economic outlook, Bilimoria highlighted persistent uncertainty arising from geopolitical tensions, inflationary pressures and rising bond yields. Despite these challenges, he noted the resilience of the global economy and pointed to India’s reported 7.8% growth in the latest quarter as evidence of its strong economic performance. He emphasised that international cooperation would be increasingly important as countries and businesses navigate an unpredictable global environment.
Bilimoria expressed concern about the growing trend towards protectionism, arguing that globalisation and more open economies have helped countries achieve economic growth. He described the India-UK trade agreement as an important development and said a potential India-European Union free trade agreement could further improve the movement of goods, services and people while encouraging research, education and innovation.
Beyond economic relations, Bilimoria advocated closer cooperation between India and the UK in defence and security. He highlighted India’s participation in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) and the importance of joint military exercises and strategic partnerships. While India has traditionally followed a non-aligned foreign policy, he noted that the country has developed defence relationships with multiple international partners while strengthening its domestic manufacturing capabilities.
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Mount Everest Breweries Files DRHP for ₹300 Crore IPO to Fund Expansion and Debt RepaymentDiscussing the early implementation of the India-UK trade agreement, Bilimoria said one of the biggest challenges would be ensuring that businesses in both countries understand and fully utilise the opportunities available. He called on the Indian and British governments to actively promote the agreement, particularly its tariff reductions and provisions supporting wider economic cooperation.
He also highlighted changes in professional qualifications recognition, opportunities for foreign universities to establish operations in India and greater access for international legal professionals as developments that could strengthen bilateral business engagement. According to Bilimoria, the agreement extends beyond tariff reductions to create opportunities for investment, education and knowledge exchange.
On the possibility of a bilateral investment treaty, Bilimoria said such an arrangement could further strengthen economic relations, although its timeline remains uncertain. He emphasised that encouraging cross-border investment should remain a priority regardless of a separate treaty.
Bilimoria’s remarks underline the potential for India and the UK to build a more comprehensive relationship, combining trade liberalisation with investment, defence cooperation, education and innovation as both countries navigate an increasingly complex global economic landscape.
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