UK-India Tech Forum 2025 | Event Round-Up
The UK-India Tech Forum took place on 23 October 2025, convened by techUK & supported by Tech India Advocates
In July 2025, the UK and India signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), after more than three and a half years of negotiations. The FTA is India’s most ambitious trade deal yet, and covers provisions on digital trade, services, public procurement, and innovation that go beyond its prior commitments in trade agreements.
Key Moments from the Forum
The UK-India FTA and What It Means for Tech Companies
The Forum began with a presentation from Archana Subramanian, Senior Associate - TLT LLP, focusing on the upcoming UK–India FTA and its implications for UK businesses. Key points included the digital trade chapter provisions protecting source code and recognising electronic contracts, new opportunities in India’s $38 billion government procurement market, and the significance of the procurement chapter marking the first FTA where India has opened up its procurement market. Businesses were advised to prepare early, understand India’s domestic regulations (i.e. data localisation) and align strategies to take full advantage once the FTA is implemented.
SME Market Entry Clinic
The discussion highlighted India as a vital and complex market for UK companies, emphasising its 1.4 billion consumer market, young and tech-competent population, and diverse business environment spread across multiple states with distinct cultures and regulatory landscapes. Key points include the importance of viewing India not as a single market but many markets, the rise of multiple tech hubs beyond major cities including emerging Tier 2 cities fuelling affordable innovation, and the shift from outsourcing to insourcing with UK firms establishing their own footprint.
The panel stresses the critical role of trust, cultural understanding, patient long-term engagement, and careful partner selection for successful entry. They also highlight regulatory complexities such as varied compliance requirements across states, the emerging Indian data protection regime, labour laws, and the need for companies to have local expertise and trusted advisors to navigate India’s evolving landscape effectively. SMEs are encouraged to leverage micro GCC models to access India’s talent and market potential with reduced risk.
Speakers included:
- Chair: Daniel Clarke - Senior Policy Manager, International, techUK
- Yauheniya Tyler - CEO, Uptitude
- Praveen Kumar - CEO, InsourceIndia
- Ani Kaprekar - Co-Founder, Tech India Advocates
- Archana Subramanian - Senior Associate, TLT LLP
Audience Discussion
Attendees raised a range of questions covering market expansion strategies for digital services and product companies, the potential of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India as cost-effective business locations, and insights on India’s growing role in artificial intelligence, including the upcoming AI Impact Summit 2026. The discussion also touched on identifying the right entry strategies, local partnerships, and regional opportunities for UK businesses looking to establish or expand their presence in India.
Watch the full recording & get involved
If you missed the session, you can watch the recording below. To stay updated and participate in upcoming UK-India Tech Forum events, please contact [email protected].
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Meet the team
Daniel Clarke
Daniel Clarke
Dan joined techUK as a Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade in March 2023.
Before techUK, Dan worked for data and consulting company GlobalData as an analyst of tech and geopolitics. He has also worked in public affairs, political polling, and has written freelance for the New Statesman and Investment Monitor.
Dan has a degree in MSc International Public Policy from University College London, and a BA Geography degree from the University of Sussex.
Outside of work, Dan is a big fan of football, cooking, going to see live music, and reading about international affairs.
- Email:
- [email protected]
Sabina Ciofu
Sabina Ciofu
Sabina Ciofu is International Policy and Strategy Lead at techUK, where she heads the International Policy and Trade Programme. Based in Brussels, she shapes global tech policy, digital trade, and regulatory cooperation across the EU, US, Canada, Asia-Pacific, and the Gulf region. She drives strategy, advocacy, and market opportunities for UK tech companies worldwide, ensuring their voice is heard in international policy debates.
With nearly a decade of previous experience as a Policy Advisor in the European Parliament, Sabina brings deep expertise in tech regulation, trade policy, and EU–US relations. Her work focuses on navigating and influencing the global digital economy to deliver real impact for members.
A passionate community-builder, Sabina co-founded Young Professionals in Digital Policy (800+ members) and now runs Old Professionals in Digital Policy (more experience, better wine, earlier nights). She is also the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club, a network of 500+ women supporting each other with kindness.
She holds advisory roles with the UCL European Institute, Café Transatlantique (a network of women in transatlantic tech policy), and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club for women.
Recognised by ComputerWeekly as one of the most influential women in UK tech, Sabina is also a sought-after public speaker on tech, trade and diversity.
Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.
She is a frequent traveler and a marathon runner.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- +32 473 323 280
- Website:
- www.techuk.org
Theophile Maiziere
Theophile Maiziere
Theo joined techUK in 2024 as EU Policy Manager. Based in Brussels, he works on our EU policy and engagement.
Theo is an experienced policy adviser who has helped connect EU and non-EU decision makers.
Prior to techUK, Theo worked at the EU delegation to Australia, the Israeli trade mission to the EU, and the City of London Corporation’s Brussels office. In his role, Theo ensures that techUK members are well-informed about EU policy, its origins, and its implications, while also facilitating valuable input to Brussels-based decision-makers.
Theo holds and LLM in International and European law, and an MA in European Studies, both from the University of Amsterdam.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Website:
- www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- linkedin.com/in/théophile-maiziere-a32772111
Lewis Walmesley-Browne
Lewis Walmesley-Browne
Lewis' programmes cover a range of policy areas within Market Access (international trade regulation, sanctions and export controls, technical standards and product compliance, supply chains) and Consumer Tech (media and broadcast policy, consumer electronics, and connected home technology).
Prior to joining techUK, Lewis worked in government affairs and policy roles for international trade associations in Southeast Asia including the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and the European Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia.
He holds an undergraduate degree in Social and Political Sciences from the University of Cambridge and an MSc in Public Policy & Management from SOAS University of London.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-walmesley-browne/