By Neil Lal, Chairman & President, Indian Council of Scotland and the United Kingdom
On 24 July 2025, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood together at Chequers and signed what will be remembered as one of the most consequential trade agreements in modern British history: the UK-India Free Trade Agreement.
For Scotland, this is not merely an event in London. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that demands urgent, focused, and deeply connected leadership.
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
Let me be direct about the scale of what is now possible.
Scotland already exports over £725 million worth of goods and services to India annually. Whisky, salmon, renewable energy technology, financial services, education — India is already a major partner. But we are only scratching the surface.
The FTA removes or reduces tariffs on Scotch whisky from 150% to 40% over ten years. That is transformative. India became the largest market by volume for Scotch in 2023 — and with tariffs coming down, that trajectory accelerates dramatically. Estimates suggest the whisky sector alone could see billions in new revenue over the next decade.
The future of international trade is not about borders — it's about building bridges.
Why Scotland Needs Its Own Voice at the Table
The UK-India FTA is a UK-wide agreement. But Scotland's relationship with India is distinct, deep, and personal in ways that demand dedicated representation.
Scotland has the largest Indian diaspora community relative to population outside London. Over £1 billion flows into the Scottish economy annually from the Indian diaspora. Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen have thriving Indian business communities that have quietly become some of the most economically significant in Scotland.
When the Scottish Government and the India High Commission engage, there are institutional channels. But what there has never been — what there still is not — is a dedicated, trusted, empowered bridge-builder who knows both worlds from the inside.
The Blueprint
Here is what a Scotland-India Trade Envoy would actually do:
Trade Missions. Organise structured annual missions — Scottish businesses going to Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru. Indian investors coming to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen.
Business Forums. Quarterly dialogues between the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Scotland's key sectors — energy, education, tech, food and drink.
Academic Partnerships. Scotland's universities are globally respected. India sends 55,000+ students to the UK. There is an entire ecosystem of research collaboration, student exchange, and academic investment waiting to be formalised.
Renewable Energy. India has committed to 500GW of non-fossil fuel energy by 2030. Scotland is a world leader in offshore wind, tidal energy, and green hydrogen. This alignment is almost too perfect.
Diaspora as Commercial Bridge. The Indian diaspora in Scotland is not just a cultural community — it is a commercial network. Properly engaged, it is the most organic trade facilitation mechanism imaginable.
My Commitment
I have spent my career building the relationships, the trust, and the knowledge that this moment demands. I know the Indian business community from the inside — from the chambers of commerce in Delhi to the High Commission in London to the community halls of Glasgow. I know the Scottish political and business landscape equally.
I do not offer a theory. I offer a track record.
The question is simple: Will Scotland seize this moment, or watch others lead?
I believe Scotland will choose wisely.
Neil Lal is Chairman & President of the Indian Council of Scotland and the United Kingdom, representing over 2 million Indian-origin people in the UK. He is a Patron of the Together UK Foundation and Director of the Lal Sharma Group.