Consulate General of India
Edinburgh

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India–Scotland Bilateral Relations

India and Scotland share a strong and evolving bilateral relationship, anchored in historical connections, vibrant people-to-people ties, and expanding cooperation across education, trade, investment, and sustainability. Scotland has active relations with India

Political and Cultural Ties

The relationship is underpinned by shared democratic values, commitment to innovation, and a long history of engagement that dates back to the colonial era. The Indian diaspora in Scotland continues to play a key role in fostering cultural understanding and mutual goodwill. Regular cultural events, including Indian film festivals, celebration of International Day of Yoga, exhibitions, and Diwali celebrations, have enriched Scotland’s multicultural landscape. Edinburgh Fringe Festival has also gained popularity among the Indian artists in the past few years. The festival has witnessed around 13 Indian performances in the year 2023 & participation of around 06 Indian comedians in the year 2024. This summer 2025, Edinburgh Fringe is turning up the volume and the laughs with a spectacular showcase of Indian comedy talent & group performances through the participation of around 10 Indian artists. Educational and academic exchanges further deepen this connection, with thousands of Indian students enrolled in leading Scottish universities such as the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow. In a reflection of strong diplomatic and intellectual engagement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Glasgow in 2021 to attend the COP26 climate summit. Hon’ble Speaker of Lok Sabha, Shri Om Birla also visited Scotland on 08-09 January, 2025 & had a bilateral meeting with Rt. Hon. John Swinney MSP, First Minister of Scotland. More recently, Hon’ble Justice B.R. Gavai, Chief Justice of India, delivered a lecture titled “Constitution as an Evolving Document” at the Edinburgh Law School, accompanied by Hon’ble Justice Vikram Nath, Judge, Supreme Court of India. Recently, Post has unveiled the Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore bronze bust in the garden of Sandeman House near Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile. The sculpture was handed over by His Excellency Mr. Vikram Doraiswami, High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, to the Rt Hon Mr. Robert Aldridge, Lord Provost of Edinburgh, who accepted it on behalf of the City of Edinburgh. The unveiling ceremony was jointly hosted by the Scottish Centre of Tagore Studies (SCoTS) and the Consulate General of India in Edinburgh, with the sculpture gifted by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) as a tribute to the shared heritage of India and Scotland

Economic Overview of Scotland

Scotland’s economy, valued at approximately £160 billion (excluding oil), represents about 8% of the UK economy, with a growth rate of around 2% per annum. The services sector dominates, accounting for 75% of GDP and including finance, IT, tourism, and retail. Other key sectors include production (18%), construction (6%), and agriculture, forestry, and fishing (1%). The Scottish Parliament holds devolved powers in areas such as education, tourism, transport, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, which influence its economic policies and international engagement strategies.

Scotland’s priority areas for future growth include knowledge-based industries such as banking, life sciences, education and research, renewable energy, and information technology. Tourism remains one of the mainstays of the economy, employing a significant workforce.

Bilateral Trade Relations

Historical Context

India and Scotland share a long-standing trading relationship, dating back to colonial times. Scottish companies such as Scott & Co., Alexander & Co., and Andrew Yule & Co. were deeply involved in trade and investment in India, particularly in commodities like indigo, opium, cotton, salt, and jute. Dundee’s jute mills relied heavily on raw material from Bengal, and trade flourished during the 19th century.

Current Trade Trends

Trade between India and Scotland has grown significantly in recent years:

Indian Exports to Scotland

India exports beverages, machinery, metal ores, non-ferrous metals, chemicals, paper, electronics, and scientific instruments to Scotland.

Exports (in million GBP):

• 2021: £330.16M
• 2022: £447.10M
• 2023: £489.06M
• 2024: £392.67M
• 2025 (Q1): £80.47M
  (Source: HMRC)

Indian Imports from Scotland

India imports power-generating equipment, apparel, petroleum products, transport equipment, whiskey, textiles, industrial machinery, and fresh produce.

Imports (in million GBP):

• 2021: £448.79M
• 2022: £746.40M
• 2023: £534.18M
• 2024: £540.33M
• 2025 (Q1): £115M
  (Source: HMRC)

India is the largest importer (by volume) of Scotch whisky, with imports rising by 93% in 2022 to £282 million (219 million bottles). Despite the surge, Scotch whisky accounts for just 2% of India's total whisky market. Leading British beverage companies like Diageo have invested significantly in India’s liquor sector.

Logistics and Connectivity

Major Scottish airports—Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Prestwick, and Aberdeen—handle most of the air freight. There is growing demand for direct air connectivity between India and Scotland to meet the needs of both the Indian diaspora and business communities.

Bilateral Investments

India is currently the 11th largest inward investor into Scotland. The number of Indian-owned companies in the UK has increased from 900 in 2022 to 954 in 2023, with several having operations in Scotland. Notable Indian companies with a strong presence in Scotland include:

• Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
• Infosys
• Wipro
• Usha Martin
• Hinduja Global Solutions
• Aegis
• Piramal Healthcare
• Tattva Group

Biocon, during then Deputy First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney’s trade mission to India in 2018, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Glasgow.  Secondly, The University of Glasgow’s flagship research center is named the Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre (ARC), in honor of Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (Founder of Biocon) and John Shaw as they had donated $7.5 million to the University, which was used to fund the building and establish a professorial chair. The ARC is intended to be a hub for cutting-edge research and a catalyst for innovation at the University of Glasgow. This partnership aimed to foster collaboration in biotechnology research and academic exchange, including joint research, student placements, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has strong presence in Scotland, with their offices in Glasgow & Edinburgh & employees over approx. 6,00 professionals across both location. In 2023 and 2022, the firm generated GBP 3.83 billion and GBP 3.49 billion in revenue in the UK, respectively, with Scotland’s revenue being 12.5% of the UK’s total.

Similarly, Infosys established a presence in Scotland over 25 years ago, with an initial focus on the financial services sector. Overtime, the company has significantly broadened its scope, establishing a strong presence in industries as energy, manufacturing and utilites.

Piramal Healthcare’s presence in Scotland, especially focused on its Grangemouth site which has grown by 15-20% in the last four to five years. It’s recognised as one of the top three global ADC contract development and manufacturing organisations. With an investment of GBP 45 million in a brand new state-of-the-art commercial facility, which opened in Q1 2024, it further strengthened its capabilities, capacities and commitment to pioneering cancer treatments.

Conversely, Scottish companies operating in India include:

• Royal Bank of Scotland
• Standard Life
• Weir Group
• RMJM Architects
• SgurrEnergy
• Touch Bionics
• Menzies Aviation
• Peak Scientific
• Omega Diagnostics
• Highland Spring
• Edrington
• Aggreko
• James Fisher and Sons (JFD), which delivered submarine rescue vehicles to the Indian Navy

Combined Scottish oil and gas sector investments in India are estimated at over £70 million.

Institutional Collaboration and Trade Promotion

The Consulate General of India in Edinburgh plays a proactive role in promoting bilateral trade and cultural exchanges. Some recent initiatives include:

• Regional India Business Forum (Dec 2019) with CII-UK
• CBI International Trade Conference (Jan 2020) in Edinburgh
• Indian Textile Exhibition (Nov 2021, South Ayrshire)
• Namami Gange Event during COP26 in Glasgow
• Tourism Promotion Event with Tamil Nadu Government (Nov 2022)
• Sustainability Round Table with cGanga (Oct 2022)
• Ganga-Clyde Environment & Economic Partnership launch (Jan 2023)
• Silk Export Promotion Council’s Buyer-Seller Meet (Jan 2023)
• Green Hydrogen Round Table with FICCI and Scottish Chambers (Feb 2023)
• High Commissioner’s Business Meet with Scottish Business Leaders, Edinburgh (Sep 2023)
• Inda-Scotland Business Meet, Edinburgh (Mar 2025)
• Indian Whisky Tasting event to promote Indian Single Malt Whisky in Scotland (Apr 2025)

The Consulate also works closely with the Scottish Development International (SDI) and various Chambers of Commerce, HMRC, and the Indian business community to promote trade, investment, and policy dialogue.

India–Scotland bilateral relations continue to deepen, with promising collaboration across key sectors such as Information Technology,  education, renewable energy, technology, life sciences, and culture. Historical ties have evolved into dynamic partnerships that reflect the mutual ambitions of both regions. With increasing trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges, India and Scotland are well-positioned to explore new avenues for cooperation in a changing global landscape.

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As on August 2025