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The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) could become a major catalyst for healthcare investment in Maharashtra, helping the state attract capital, technology and international partnerships, Maharashtra Minister Jaykumar Rawal has said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the CII Hospital Tech 2026 Summit in Mumbai, Rawal said Maharashtra was looking to strengthen connections between local healthcare and pharmaceutical companies and their counterparts in the United Kingdom.
The initiative is aimed at bringing technology, innovation, expertise and investment into Maharashtra’s healthcare ecosystem while helping local companies expand their global footprint.
CETA Opens New Healthcare Investment Opportunities
The India-UK CETA is expected to create new opportunities for businesses across several sectors, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals and medical technology.
Rawal said Maharashtra already has a strong healthcare ecosystem, with expertise spanning pharmaceuticals, medical technology, hospitals and medical professionals. The state now wants to use the trade agreement to connect this ecosystem with British companies and investors.
The objective is not only to increase investment but also to accelerate the development and commercialisation of healthcare innovations.
“We have the whole ecosystem in Maharashtra,” Rawal said, highlighting the state’s combination of medical expertise, pharmaceutical capabilities and medical technology companies.
Maharashtra Targets Global Healthcare Leadership
Maharashtra is positioning itself as an important destination for international healthcare investment. The state has a substantial presence in pharmaceuticals and medical devices, giving it a strong foundation to benefit from deeper economic cooperation with the UK.
According to data cited by ETHealthworld, Maharashtra accounts for approximately 16% of India’s medical device production and 22% of the country’s medical device exports.
The state also has medical-device clusters in Ambarnath, Satpur, Sinner and Bhiwandi, creating an established manufacturing base that could benefit from increased international collaboration.
UK Partnership Could Accelerate Healthcare Innovation
One of the key opportunities presented by CETA is greater collaboration between Indian and UK healthcare companies.
British companies bring expertise in healthcare technology, research, finance and innovation, while Maharashtra offers a large pharmaceutical and medical-device ecosystem, skilled professionals and manufacturing capabilities.
Greater collaboration could encourage joint ventures, technology transfers, research partnerships and investments in healthcare infrastructure.
Such partnerships could also help Indian companies improve their access to international markets and integrate more closely with global healthcare supply chains.
CETA Provides Tariff Advantages for Indian Healthcare Products
The trade agreement could also improve the competitiveness of Indian healthcare products in the UK market.
The India-UK agreement, which came into effect on July 15, 2026, provides zero-duty access for nearly 99% of Indian exports to the UK. It also removes tariffs on several healthcare-related products, including generic medicines and medical devices such as surgical instruments, diagnostic equipment, ECG machines and X-ray systems.
These provisions could create additional incentives for Maharashtra-based manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies seeking to increase exports to the UK.
Faster Innovation From Lab to Patient
Rawal also stressed the importance of reducing the time required to move healthcare innovations from laboratories to patients.
Despite Maharashtra’s strong healthcare and pharmaceutical capabilities, innovations can take years to reach the market. Greater cooperation between Indian and British companies could help address this challenge through access to technology, funding, expertise and international networks.
The state’s strategy is therefore focused not only on attracting foreign investment but also on developing an integrated healthcare ecosystem capable of supporting innovation from research through commercialisation.
Pharma and Medical Devices Could Be Major Beneficiaries
The pharmaceutical and medical-device industries are expected to be among the sectors with significant potential under the India-UK CETA.
Maharashtra already has a strong pharmaceutical manufacturing base, while its medical-device clusters provide opportunities for companies to scale production and improve their international competitiveness.
Lower trade barriers could help manufacturers access the UK market more efficiently, while international partnerships could provide opportunities to develop new products and technologies.
For investors, the combination of Maharashtra’s existing industrial base and the new trade framework could make the state more attractive as a healthcare investment destination.
What CETA Means for Maharashtra’s Healthcare Sector
The impact of CETA could extend beyond trade volumes. Increased investment could contribute to new manufacturing facilities, research centres, healthcare technologies and employment opportunities.
Stronger India-UK cooperation could also encourage the exchange of expertise between healthcare professionals, researchers, technology companies and pharmaceutical businesses.
If successfully implemented, the agreement could help Maharashtra strengthen its position as a regional and global healthcare hub.
Outlook for Healthcare Investment in Maharashtra
The success of the India-UK CETA in boosting healthcare investment will depend on how effectively companies and government agencies convert the agreement’s provisions into actual business partnerships.
Maharashtra’s existing strengths in pharmaceuticals, medical devices and healthcare give the state a strong starting point. The challenge now will be to attract investment at scale and ensure that new partnerships translate into faster innovation and improved healthcare capabilities.
For Maharashtra, CETA represents an opportunity to connect its established healthcare ecosystem with Britain’s technology, expertise and financial resources.
The India-UK CETA could become a key driver of healthcare investment in Maharashtra by encouraging international partnerships, technology transfers and greater access to the UK market.
With a strong pharmaceutical and medical-device ecosystem already in place, Maharashtra is well positioned to benefit from the agreement. As Rawal highlighted, closer links between Maharashtra-based companies and UK businesses could help bring investment and innovation to scale while accelerating the journey from lab to patient.
The coming years could therefore see Maharashtra play an increasingly important role in global healthcare innovation, supported by deeper economic ties between India and the United Kingdom.
