Theresa May’s heading on her first international trade mission
Theresa May is heading to India to russle up business ties with the country in her first international trade mission as Prime Minister in a bid to boost the economy after Brexit.
A number of deals are expected to be signed on the visit which will take place at the start of November and May will meet with her counterpart Narendra Modi, who last year called the UK an entry point for India into the EU.
Read more: Britain can leapfrog the EU to win a free trade deal with the Gulf States
“As we leave the European Union we have the chance to forge a new global role for the UK – to look beyond our continent and towards the economic and diplomatic opportunities in the wider world," said May ahead of the visit.
"I am determined to capitalise on those opportunities, and as we embark on the trade mission to India we will send the message that the UK will be the most passionate, most consistent, and most convincing advocate for free trade."
Small and medium sized businesses chosen from across the country will join her on the trip, where she will also open the India-UK Tech Summit.
Read more: Britain can get a much better US trade deal than the EU's failing TTIP
May has already spoken with Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull in the wake of the Brexit vote to explore a free trade deal, while international trade secretary Liam Fox, who will also travel to India, has been in talks with several countries to build closer relationships since June's vote.
According to government figures, India is the second largest international job creator in Britain, adding more than 7,000 jobs last year and more than 100,000 in total.