Eknath Shinde’s London Visit: Commonwealth Public Leadership Recognition and New UK–Maharashtra Partnerships

On 9 September 2026, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and former Chief Minister Eknath Shinde joined a special parliamentary programme in London hosted by the UK Asian Business Council (UKABC), centred on the Commonwealth Public Leadership Recognition and a wider programme of UK–Maharashtra engagement.

The recognition acknowledged public leadership and governance initiatives associated with measurable citizen impact, with particular emphasis on women’s economic empowerment, financial inclusion and citizen-centred public-service delivery. A central part of the recognition was Maharashtra’s Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, through which financial assistance is provided directly to eligible women’s bank accounts.

The supporting assessment considered the programme’s reach of more than 2.3 crore women and the significance of connecting direct financial assistance with formal banking access and greater financial agency.

The recognition also considered Shasan Aplya Dari — Government at Your Doorstep — an initiative designed to take government services directly into communities rather than requiring citizens to navigate multiple layers of administration. More than 1.5 crore citizens were recorded as having benefited.

Together, the initiatives reflected a common principle: bringing government closer to people and placing citizens at the centre of delivery. The Commonwealth dimension was important to the day. UKABC approached the Commonwealth not only through shared history, but as a contemporary network capable of connecting governments, businesses, universities, innovators and communities around practical cooperation.

Baroness Arlene Foster of Aghadrumsee DBE, former First Minister of Northern Ireland and Patron of the UK Asian Business Council, placed the programme within the wider opportunity between India, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom. Her address emphasised that agreements alone do not create prosperity: people, entrepreneurs, businesses, innovation and trusted relationships turn opportunity into economic activity.

She highlighted opportunities spanning advanced manufacturing, technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, clean energy, education and the creative industries, while stressing the importance of a relationship that works in both directions.

Andrew Grocock, Chairman of the UK Asian Business Council, described UKABC’s purpose as being “a bridge that works in both directions” — helping UK businesses explore opportunities in India while assisting Indian businesses and investors seeking relationships in the United Kingdom.

He also set a clear test for the programme: success should be measured by the partnerships that emerge, investments made, businesses grown, jobs created and relationships that endure. As he told guests, “Potential alone does not create prosperity. Action does.” The parliamentary programme brought together parliamentarians and public representatives, business leaders, investors, academics and institutional partners.

It also included a Canvas for Care exhibition, adding a concise community and creative dimension to the wider themes of dignity, leadership and social impact.

Later that day, the UK Asian Business Council hosted a major evening engagement at The Landmark London in Marylebone, where Shri Shinde and the Maharashtra delegation joined more than 300 guests from business, government, investment, academia, innovation and the wider UK–India community.

Participants included Howard Dawber OBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth and Chair of London & Partners; Hemin Bharucha of London & Partners; Peta Conn, Director, GB & Europe at Invest Northern Ireland; representatives from the Department for Business; and participants from the London School of Economics and Political Science, University College London, Queen’s University Belfast and the University of East London.

Major organisations represented across the wider programme included JCB, Ceres Power, Carbon Clean and Invest Northern Ireland, alongside companies from infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, clean technology, investment and innovation.

More than 20 proposals and potential Memoranda of Understanding were presented through the wider engagement and are now in discussion with relevant Maharashtra Government ministries and departments.

The opportunities span clean and renewable energy, long-duration energy storage, industrial decarbonisation, green hydrogen, water and environmental technology, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure and construction, healthcare, education and skills, investment and other emerging technologies.

Sudeep Sakalle, Vice President of the UK Asian Business Council, coordinated significant elements of the programme and UK-side business engagement. “Bringing Parliament, government, businesses, investors and universities together is important, but the real work starts after the event,” he said.

“Our focus now is on taking the opportunities presented during the visit forward — moving conversations towards pilots, partnerships, investment and measurable outcomes between Maharashtra and the United Kingdom.” UKABC President Taha Coburn-Kutay was also acknowledged as part of the Council’s leadership and wider relationship-building work behind the programme.

UKABC additionally recognised Sushobh of Raam Sita Trust and Bharat in UK for his role in helping facilitate Shri Eknath Shinde’s visit to the United Kingdom and supporting the wider engagement. For UKABC, the significance of 9 September will ultimately be determined by what follows. Maharashtra brings economic scale, industrial capability, infrastructure ambition and entrepreneurial talent.

The United Kingdom brings specialist technology, investment, research, universities, innovation and international expertise. The opportunity is to connect those strengths and move from introductions to partnerships, proposals to projects and international relationships to measurable outcomes. The Commonwealth Public Leadership Recognition celebrated impact already delivered.

The relationships and opportunities created around Eknath Shinde’s London visit are about what can be delivered next.

“Bringing Parliament, government, businesses, investors and universities together is important, but the real work starts after the event.”

— Sudeep Sakalle, Vice President, UK Asian Business Council