NEW DELHI — On October 2026:The Forum of Indian Food Importers (FIFI), in collaboration with the UK India Business Council (UKIBC) and the UK Government (UKG), participated in a high-level interactive roundtable session at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The session served as a crucial platform to advance bilateral food and drink trade, explore commercial avenues, and address regulatory compliance under the landmark UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).  

The session was honored by the presence of Chief Guests The Rt Hon Mr Douglas Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, and The Rt Hon Dame Angela Eagle MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Delivering the keynote context-setting address, Mr. Amit Lohani, Founder Director of FIFI, articulated the Indian food and beverage industry’s perspective on emerging market opportunities, regulatory alignment, and trade streamlining under CETA. Mr. Lohani highlighted the crucial role of collaborative momentum between government bodies, trade platforms, and key industry stakeholders to ease market entry and expand distribution corridors across India.  

The roundtable brought together top leadership and corporate executives from major UK and global brands including Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Annandale Distillery, and Walkers Shortbread. The meeting was further strengthened by active participation from prominent sector trade associations, including the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), Salmon Scotland, and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), alongside FIFI.  

The open, business-led discussion focused on practical strategies for overcoming regulatory bottlenecks, improving food safety compliance, and accelerating bilateral trade growth across spirits, seafood, meat, dairy, and processed food categories. The session concluded with a mutual commitment among the delegates to deepen commercial ties, leverage CETA’s preferential framework, and establish structured avenues for ongoing trade support and market intelligence sharing.