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Burnham is set to become Britain’s seventh Prime Minister in a decade, inheriting a strong relationship with India and a new trade deal already in place.
Andy Burnham will take over as Britain’s new Prime Minister on Monday. (Reuters)
Andy Burnham will take over as Britain’s new Prime Minister on Monday, inheriting India-UK relations which experts say are likely to retain its current strategic direction while expanding into new areas of regional, economic and defense cooperation.
Former Mayor of Greater Manchester Elected unopposed as leader of the Labor Party After securing the support of 379 of the party’s 403 MPs in the House of Commons on Friday. He will replace Keir Starmer and become Seventh Prime Minister of Britain Since 2016.
Burnham’s promotion comes days after the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement or CETA came into force.
While Burnham promises a different approach domestic politicsThe strategic expert expects continuity in ties with India, supported by his own record of engagement with the country during his tenure in Greater Manchester.
Why India-UK relations are likely to remain on the rise?
Rahul Roy-Chowdhary, senior fellow for South Asia at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, said PTI The relationship was likely to see “continuation” as it “has not been better in over a decade”.
Last year, there were back-to-back visits by Prime Ministers to the two countries, after which CETA came into force last week.
Roy-Choudhury said, “The new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has an opportunity to deepen these improved India-UK relations, advance the prosperity agenda and ensure a historic dividend on bilateral defense and strategic cooperation with India, which is looking to modernize the capability of its armed forces and boost defense manufacturing for export to the world, as well as diversifying its defense relationship.”
Burnham has also indicated that he would retain parts of Starmer’s policy legacy. In his first speech as Labor leader he said he would build on the foundation laid by his predecessor.
according to APBurnham is expected to deliver her first speech as prime minister, saying she is “well aware” of the many leadership changes that have taken place in Britain over the past decade and pledging to restore stability.
Manchester record may shape his India policy
Burnham’s tenure as Mayor of Greater Manchester gives an indication of how he might approach India.
During his tenure, he championed stronger ties with India through businesses, universities, innovation networks and regional partnerships.
Consul General of India in Manchester, Vishakha Yaduvanshi, said, “Over the past year, we have valued close engagement with the authorities of Greater Manchester, particularly Mr Andy Burnham, whose energy and warm support have greatly helped in strengthening India-North-England relations.” PTI.
India opened its new consulate in Manchester in March last year. Yaduvanshi described it as a “landmark moment” that highlighted the potential of the North of England, including “its industries, education and sporting ethos” within wider bilateral relations.
Burnham toured India in 2019, visiting Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi. He later met the then Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami in December 2025 and virtually participated in the India-North England Opportunities Summit in March 2026.
During his visit to India, he identified digital technology, engineering, advanced manufacturing, healthcare and education as areas of cooperation. He also highlighted opportunities in tourism, sports and cultural cooperation.
More focus on Indian states and British territories
Burnham’s support for greater devolution to Britain could also lead to deeper engagement with Indian state governments.
Rajesh Aggarwal, president of Labor Friends of India, said Burnham has consistently focused on building long-term economic relationships.
“Andy understands that growth comes from long-term relationships. If you look at his own track record in Manchester, he has worked to strengthen ties with India through businesses, universities, innovation and improving connectivity with direct flights between India and Manchester,” Agarwal said. PTI.
Agarwal, who worked with Burnham during her first term as Labour’s deputy mayor of London, said her devolution agenda could mesh well with India’s federal system.
“He is a big fan of devolution and empowering different regions, and India certainly has a federal structure with many states. So, I also see him engaging more with regional governments,” he said.
This could result in greater partnerships between Indian states and British cities or regions in technology, education, manufacturing, health care and infrastructure.
Turning business deals into solid profits
The immediate test for the Burnham government will be the implementation of CETA and whether it can translate the agreement into investment, exports and jobs.
Tech entrepreneur and Labor colleague Udaya Nagaraju said Burnham inherited an “exceptionally strong” bilateral relationship and expected her to pursue “the same strategic direction” on India.
“It will also be combined with Andy Burnham’s own specific focus, based on his work on regional development, skills, infrastructure and bringing government and business together in Manchester,” Nagaraju said.
“I think the next phase (for India-UK relations) will be about converting the trade agreement into investment, exports, jobs, research partnerships and opportunities for small companies in both countries,” he said.
Burnham has promised to improve living standards across Britain and revive economic growth. This could increase India’s importance as a source of investment, technology partnerships and market access.
Joshi Herrmann, founder of Manchester news site milltold AP Burnham’s plans would ultimately depend on economic growth.
“Fundamentally, this will only work if you can have significant economic growth, because the lack of growth is what is really holding the country back,” he said.
Defense cooperation could be the next major area
Strategic experts also see defense as a key area of potential expansion.
Roy-Choudhury said the new government could deepen cooperation as India modernizes its armed forces, diversifies defense partnerships and looks to strengthen domestic manufacturing.
The extent of progress may depend on Burnham’s Cabinet appointments, particularly the choices of Foreign Secretary, Defense Secretary, and Treasury Chief. according to APHe is expected to make changes to Starmer’s senior team but the appointments had not been finalized as of Friday.
Call for a dedicated Bharat Tantra
The 1928 Institute, a British Indian think tank, said Burnham would inherit a strong foundation but warned that her domestic agenda could pull her attention in too many directions.
Dr Nikita Ved, President of the Institute, said, “From an India policy and migration perspective, Andy Burnham will inherit a strong foundation. However, his attention is likely to be drawn in a number of directions, especially given the domestic focus of his agenda.” PTI.
“It would therefore be prudent to establish an India Task Force and/or appoint an India Trade Envoy to maintain the current momentum,” he said.
Sustainability will matter for businesses
Lord Karan Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer and co-chair of the India All Party Parliamentary Group, said he hoped Burnham would continue to “put India first”.
He also called for political stability for at least the next three years until the next general election, so that businesses in the UK and India can invest in each other’s countries… creating jobs on both sides.
“We need to double our trade, from about £50 billion today to £100 billion by 2030… I am confident of a very bright future for the UK and India from now on,” Bilimoria said.
Burnham is therefore unlikely to change the broad direction of India-UK relations. The bigger challenge will be to translate the momentum built under Starmer into measurable progress on trade, defence, investment, regional partnerships, skills and research.
About the author
Karishma Jain, Deputy Editor in Chief, News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a wide range of topics including Indian politics and policy, culture and arts, technology and social change. Follow…read more
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