Business opportunities founded on common values

So these two economic powerhouses are even more powerful when they get together. But what makes them unbeatable? In a word, people. The factor that really makes the business relationship between the UK and India unique is the ‘human aspect’—their shared history, culture and ways of doing business developed over hundreds of years.

In the UK, this human aspect is embodied by the ‘living bridge’—the Indian diaspora, many of whose members are successful, high-profile business leaders. Their achievements help to cement the strong cultural ties that make it easier for Indian businesses to adapt to—and grow within—the UK business environment.

This same common culture and understanding helps UK businesses enter the Indian marketplace. India is the world’s largest democracy and has a similar judicial system to the UK, making it an easier and safer place to invest compared to many other countries.

Once UK companies do enter the Indian market, people are key to the opportunities there. India’s 1.3 billion-strong population has a median age of 27, and includes a large, educated workforce that’s young, skilled and progressive. And almost a third of its citizens live in cities, and there is a rapidly-growing population of middle-class consumers eager to buy UK goods and services.

Meanwhile, across both countries, the bilateral opportunities are increased still further by their complementary resources and skills, which foster mutual learning and collaboration. For example, the UK can learn from—and capitalise on—India’s experience in building and running smart cities, while India can learn from the UK in areas like governance, R&D and nurturing local enterprise. The result? Together, both countries can leapfrog the rest.

What’s clear is that the UK and India make a great team—arguably the best team between any two countries, anywhere in the world. That’s why the combination of UK experience and Indian opportunity, underpinned and empowered by shared business culture and values, is second to none. 

So, is your business taking steps to seize the moment? Others certainly are. We’re seeing a growing number of clients in both the UK and India move to tap into the potential of bilateral ventures, whether through trading and marketing strategies, distribution agreements, inbound acquisitions, joint ventures, or technology collaborations.

At PwC, we have decades of experience in helping clients of all sizes and across all industries successfully undertake UK-India initiatives to accelerate their growth. In the process, we’ve built up unrivalled expertise and insight in both markets, putting us in the forefront of advising both on what the opportunity is and how to realise it.

Whether you’re based in the UK or India, we’ll understand your needs, pain-points and business ambitions—and the opportunities that a UK-India venture offers. By combining our global expertise with our on-the-ground knowledge and relationships, we’ll help you find the best possible approach to create a sustainable, profitable and growing business.

The message is clear. The bilateral business relationship between the UK and India has a rich past—and an even richer future. Isn’t it time you became part of it?