India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, and the joint UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiating teams were honoured with the Exceptional Leadership in Elevating UK-India Ties award at the UK-India Awards 2026. The ceremony took place on Thursday, 25 June 2026, at The Peninsula London during the 10th anniversary of India Global Forum's UK-India Week. The awards recognised the leadership behind the historic UK-India FTA following its ratification earlier in 2026.
Other Notable Honourees Across Sectors
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson of Biocon Group, received the Lifetime Contribution to UK-India Relations award for her global leadership in science and entrepreneurship. Banking titan Uday Kotak was honoured with the Exceptional Leadership in UK-India Financial Services award, delivering his acceptance via a video message. The Premier League, Grant Thornton, Wockhardt, the British Asian Trust, and the British Council were also recognised for their outstanding contributions to the UK-India corridor.
IGF Founder Reflects on Decade of Partnership
Opening the evening, IGF's Founder and Chairman Manoj Ladwa reflected on the journey of UK-India Week over the past decade. According to Ladwa, 'Ten years ago, we set out to create a platform worthy of the modern UK-India relationship. One that connected leaders across business, government, capital, innovation and culture. A place where conversations became collaborations, introductions became investments, and relationships became lasting partnerships. That was the vision. And I called it - perhaps ambitiously - a Winning Partnership. I believed it then. I believe it even more tonight.'
Detailed Recognition Across Industries
The ceremony brought together senior ministers, high commissioners, diplomats, and global business leaders to celebrate individuals and institutions strengthening the UK-India partnership. Grant Thornton was honoured for its Decade of Contribution to Consulting, recognised for shaping advisory excellence and influential corridor research. Wockhardt received the Decade of Contribution to Lifesciences and Health Resilience award, particularly for vaccine infrastructure. The British Council was honoured for its Decade of Contribution to Education. The British Asian Trust received the award for A Decade of Contribution to Social Impact, highlighting the diaspora's vital role. The Premier League was celebrated for connecting millions of Indian fans to British football through grassroots youth initiatives like Premier Skills.
FTA Negotiating Teams Receive Standing Ovation
The gala reached its peak as the UK-India FTA Negotiating Teams took the stage together to receive their Exceptional Leadership in Elevating UK-India Ties award, earning a standing ovation for years of tireless determination navigating complex policy chapters across changing governments. Concluding the evening, the final Exceptional Leadership award was presented to Chief Guest Piyush Goyal by IGF Founder Manoj Ladwa and UK Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle MP.
Piyush Goyal's Vision for the FTA
Accepting the honour, Piyush Goyal said: 'I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that this will be a success, and this CETA will become a template, a role model for many other free trade agreements in the future.' The evening closed with a group photograph of all laureates on stage, marking a unified entry into the next decade of the modern UK-India partnership.
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India Global Forum tells the story of contemporary India, serving as a gateway for businesses and nations to seize the opportunity presented by India's pace of change and growth.
