IBTC News

 

✨ Celebrate Diwali with Conservative Friends of India in Leicester! ✨

CF India Co-Chairmen Sir Oliver Dowden MP and Dr Koolesh Shah invite you to join us for a joyful evening of celebration, connection, and community.

Enjoy a full Indian buffet, wine and soft drinks, and hear from our special guest speakers – Shadow Health Secretary, the Rt Hon. Stuart Andrew MP, Shivani Raja MP, Baroness Verma, Sir Oliver Dowden MP, and Dr Koolesh Shah.

🪔 Let’s come together to celebrate the Festival of Lights and share an evening of good food, great company, and festive spirit.

📅 Thursday 20th November 2025
🕕 6:00PM – 8:00PM
📍 Holiday Inn, Wigston, LE18 1JW
🎟️ Tickets: £15 – book now at bit.ly/cfindiadiwali

 

The board members of Indo British Trade Council (IBTC) were delighted to organise a company visit for the delegation from the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI). The delegation was visiting the UK Midlands to discuss UK India trade post the signing of the FTA.

The delegation visited Intelligent Energy in Loughborough. Thank You Martin Schaefer and Christopher Dudfield for a very informative evening and for your hospitality.

Lots of opportunities for India.

IE 5

IE 4

IE 3

IE 2

IE 1

The board members of Indo British Trade Council (IBTC) were delighted to attend a trade meeting organised by then Consul General of India, Birmingham for the delegation from the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI). The delegation was visiting the UK Midlands to discuss UK India trade post the signing of the FTA.

On this occasion, Indo British Trade Council (IBTC) and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed a MoU to work collaboratively to enhance trade links between the UK Midlands and the North of India.

d2ba4e67-df7b-4099-8a86-a12bb86b9808

9f2c76ed-1d9c-430b-9d95-abd98568c1ca

e0900efe-3021-4443-b5a7-677921732862

UK- India sign the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

The Indo British Trade Council (IBTC) welcomes the signing of the CETA and Congratulates both countries on the very important initiative for trade and economic benefits.

The Indo British Trade Council (IBTC) is looking forward to helping UK Midlands based businesses and Indian businesses to make effective use of this agreement for mutual benefit and growth.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/business-leaders-welcome-the-uk-india-free-trade-agreement

 

 

India Young Professionals Scheme visa: ballot system

For an Indian citizen aged 18 to 30 who is looking for an opportunity to live and work in the UK for up to two years, The UK government has the India Young Professionals Scheme visa for 2025- on ballot. The government recently announced that the second and final ballot for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa for 2025 will open at 1.30 PM on July 22 and close at the same time on July 24.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/india-young-professionals-scheme-visa-ballot-system

There is one more scheme for Young Professionals

India Young Professionals Scheme visa

https://www.gov.uk/india-young-professionals-scheme-visa

 

 

 

Indigo Airlines launches UK- Mumbai flight from Manchester Airport- 1st July 2025

IBTC delegates attended the launch of Indigo Airlines at Manchester Airport. IBTC  board members Vic  Sethi, Surekha Chouhan, Anshuman Chouhan, Baljit Singh attended the event. They met with Pieter Elbers  (CEO- Indigo) and Navneet Jaggi (InterGlobe Air Transport Limited (IGAT))

 

e1cca6fb-11f7-4f05-94fc-ca1cf9c8139e

92ba0c8d-9bd6-49cb-8d28-6f973db2ae45

e73374c0-16df-451b-9597-0c9ad1a3f953

e5f67902-576c-4d9f-818e-0e2c1eb267ee

British Deputy High Commissioner- Ahmedabad visits Loughborough University, Midlands UK

MOU signed between IBTC and Leicestershire County Cricket club (LCCC)

13th May 2025- The IBTC and LCCC have signed a MOU to promote sports and business links between LCCC and India. This will also help promote sporting associations and sports related departments within Leicestershire universities with India.

The event was held at the LCCC grounds with the Hon’ble Consul General of India Dr. Venkatachalam Murugan as our Chief Guest. The event was attended by the IBTC board. Sean Jarvis CEO of LCCC and his executive team were representing LCCC.

 

KDM02198

KDM02190

KDM02184

KDM02104

KDM02055

KDM02045

KDM01918

IBTC (Indo British Trade Council) welcomes Kulvinder “Vic” Singh Sethi to the executive team.
 
Vic Sethi has been appointed as the Vice President (Events & Promotions) and the Middle East Envoy.
 
Vic Sethi was born in Delhi and grew up in Kuwait since the age of 3. His parents moved to Kuwait from New Delhi during late 60’s.
 
He is well connected with the businesses and the Royal family members of Kuwait and other Gulf States. His wealth of knowledge will help with the growth of IBTC activities within the Middle-East and other parts of the world. 
 
Vic is a renowned businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He has sat on the board of many organisations and had held various volunteer posts as the family believes that giving back to the community is very important.  
 
They have a family trust “Anand & Sethi family Charity Trust” through which they support good causes in the UK and globally regardless of colour, gender or race as they believe in all human race as ONE. The trust is 100% funded by the family member’s and not from any third party.
 
Vic along with his brother-in-law Jay Anand run a family business in Leicester called Anand International Ltd, which was established almost 44 years ago
by his father-in-law and mother-in-law Mr Anand & Mrs Anand. The third generation has started to join the family business too.   

Anand International is one of the largest distributors of consumer premium brand batteries such as Duracell, Energizer, Eveready, Panasonic, Philips and many more. The company has a very diversified client base like supermarkets, multiple-retailers. wholesalers cash & carry’s and many more.
 
Vic’s presence will strengthen the growth of IBTC by connecting East-Midlands and the Middle-East.
IBTC facilitates visit of Prof Swaran Singh (Professor of Social and Community Psychiatry) of Warwick University, UK to Guru Nanak Hospital in Punjab

IMG_2013

IMG_2012

IMG_2011

Swaran Singh 1

Shri Yusuf Ali MA, Chairman and MD of Lulu Supermarket Group and Y International

Rt Hon Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister of the UK

Shri Yusuf Ali and Rt Hon Angela Rayner met in Birmingham with the view of expanding trade and investment in the Midlands.

The Lulu group and Y International are Patrons of IBTC

 

UK trade body offers permanent exhibition space to CII

A UK trade body has offered permanent space for India’s industry chamber CII at its trade centre in Midlands for showcasing products.

Click to read