BUSINESS activity between the UK and India has seen a significant surge over the past nine months, according to data from HSBC UK.
Payments from UK clients to India increased by 32 per cent, while payments received from India rose by 121 per cent in the nine months leading to October, The Times reported.
The data highlights the strengthening trade ties as the UK and India prepare to resume trade talks in January. This follows Keir Starmer's bilateral meeting with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit.
“It is a really strong two-way trade,” Stuart Tait, head of commercial banking at HSBC UK, told The Times. He highlighted India’s urbanisation, infrastructure investments, and growing affluence as key factors driving UK businesses’ involvement.
Global Metcorp, a UK company exporting scrap metal, noted steady demand from India. “We have existing and continuous demand for scrap metal there, as well as in surrounding countries,” said Ashish Chaudhari, its director.
Vineet Sharma, managing partner at Paritra Investment Research, pointed to Scotch whisky and defence equipment as areas with significant export potential for the UK.
India’s high-tech manufacturing and service sectors also play a role in strengthening ties. Stuart Tait noted the increasing complexity of work handled by India’s service centres and the capability of the Indian workforce.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) has also grown, with HSBC UK reporting a 36 per cent year-on-year increase in client referrals from HSBC India.
In 2022, India contributed £10.2 billion in FDI to the UK, while UK investment in India reached £20.1 bn.
Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in northwest of London, in July 2024. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Crossbow murderer found guilty of raping ex-girlfriend
A 26-YEAR-OLD man who murdered three women in a crossbow and stabbing attack has been found guilty of raping one of them, his ex-girlfriend, a British court ruled on Thursday.
Kyle Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in Bushey, northwest of London, in July 2024.
The attack led to a manhunt before Clifford was found injured hours later in a north London cemetery.
A jury at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday convicted Clifford of raping 25-year-old Louise Hunt before killing her.
His sentencing for all the crimes is scheduled for Tuesday.
Clifford had admitted to murdering Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Louise and Hannah, 28. He had also pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment and possessing offensive weapons but denied raping Louise.
During the trial, the court heard that after killing Carol Hunt, Clifford waited for an hour before attacking Louise, tying her up, raping her, and then killing her with a crossbow. He later killed Hannah when she returned home from work.
The prosecution described Clifford, a former soldier, as committing a "violent, sexual act of spite" and said he was "enraged" after Louise ended their 18-month relationship. They told the court that he had "carefully planned" the attack.
Less than 24 hours before the killings, Clifford had searched for a podcast by social media influencer Andrew Tate, according to the prosecution. They argued that the murders were driven by the "violent misogyny promoted" by Tate.
Justice Joel Bennathan called Clifford’s crimes "dreadful" and "almost unspeakable".
(With inputs from AFP)