GIFT City hosts City of London Policy Chairman to deepen UK–India financial cooperation

GANDHINAGAR : GIFT City on Friday hosted Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation, for high-level discussions aimed at strengthening financial and economic cooperation between India and the United Kingdom.

The visit comes at a pivotal time following the conclusion of the India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and ahead of the next India–UK Economic & Financial Dialogue, reflecting the growing momentum in bilateral economic engagement.

During the discussions, both sides explored opportunities to expand collaboration across a range of strategic sectors, including financial and professional services, capital markets connectivity, green finance, social infrastructure financing and the mobilisation of global capital to support India’s long-term economic growth and infrastructure development.

The meeting also focused on leveraging the strengths of GIFT City and the UK’s globally recognised financial ecosystem to facilitate cross-border investments, foster financial innovation and promote sustainable finance initiatives. Participants discussed ways to deepen institutional partnerships and create new avenues for investment flows between the two countries.

As India’s first operational international financial services centre (IFSC), GIFT City has emerged as a key gateway for global financial institutions, offering a world-class regulatory framework and business environment for banking, insurance, asset management, capital markets and fintech. The centre is playing an increasingly important role in attracting international investments and positioning India as a global financial hub.

The engagement with the City of London Corporation is expected to further reinforce financial sector cooperation between the two countries, complementing the broader objectives of the recently concluded FTA. Enhanced collaboration is anticipated to boost capital market integration, encourage sustainable investments and create new opportunities for businesses and investors in both India and the United Kingdom.

Officials expressed confidence that closer cooperation between GIFT City and the UK’s financial ecosystem would unlock fresh avenues for innovation, investment and economic growth while strengthening the long-standing strategic partnership between the two nations.