Eknath Shinde seeks deeper Maharashtra-U.K. economic ties at House of Lords event

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde received the ‘Commonwealth Public Leadership Recognition’ at an event held at the House of Lords in London on Wednesday (September 9, 2026), where he pitched greater Maharashtra-U.K. cooperation in fintech, green energy, green hydrogen, deep-tech, education and skill development.

Mr. Shinde invited British businesses to invest in Maharashtra and said Mumbai and London, as major financial centres, had considerable scope for deeper economic engagement. He reiterated the State government’s goal of making Maharashtra a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

Presenting Maharashtra as India’s industrial and financial powerhouse, Mr. Shinde said the State contributes nearly 14% of India’s GDP and attracts over 30% of the country’s Foreign Direct Investment. He cited projects including Vadhavan Port, the Samruddhi Expressway, Mumbai Trans Harbour Link and Mumbai Coastal Road as examples of the State’s infrastructure push.

The recognition was presented at an event organised by the U.K. Asian Business Council and Canvas for Care Creative Art Campus. Former Northern Ireland First Minister Baroness Arlene Foster, U.K. Asian Business Council chairman Andrew Grocock and vice-chairman Sudeep Sakale were among those present, according to the Deputy Chief Minister’s Office.

The citation accompanying the recognition credited Mr. Shinde’s citizen-centric governance during his tenure as Chief Minister and subsequently as Deputy Chief Minister. It specifically referred to initiatives such as the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana and Shasan Aaplya Dari programme.

Mr. Shinde said his approach towards welfare policies had been influenced by witnessing the struggles of his mother and wife while growing up in a farming family.

Referring to the Ladki Bahin scheme, he said, “I have one sister, but thanks to the Ladki Bahin Scheme, I have gained millions of sisters.”

He also highlighted initiatives including higher education assistance for girls, a dedicated department for persons with disabilities, the State’s transgender policy and assistance through the Chief Minister’s Medical Assistance Cell.

Speaking about India-UK relations, Mr. Shinde said the relationship was entering a “new golden era” and described the Maharashtrian community living in the U.K. as an important bridge between the two countries.