On 25 December 2025, the India Commonwealth Trade Council (ICTC) convened the India–Commonwealth Trade Meeting 2025 in Vadodara, Gujarat, bringing together business leaders, industry associations, and sector-focused representatives from across Gujarat. The gathering was further enriched by the presence of senior diplomatic representatives, reflecting the growing global interest in India’s trade engagement with Commonwealth nations.
Vadodara’s selection as the host city reflected its growing stature within India’s economic landscape, given its well-established trade linkages with several Commonwealth countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other Commonwealth states. Its strong base in engineering, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, energy, and emerging services positions the city as a natural gateway for Commonwealth trade engagement, perfectly aligning with the inauguration of the ICTC Gujarat office on the same day. This new office will serve as a dedicated facilitation platform for local businesses, supporting market entry, trade linkages, and investment exploration across Commonwealth economies, offering Vadodara enterprises direct access to global opportunities.
The dialogue was graced by H.E. Mr. Mookhesswur Choonee, Former High Commissioner of the Republic of Mauritius to India, who elaborated on the depth of bilateral relations as fellow Commonwealth nations. He highlighted opportunities across key sectors including financial and professional services, information technology and digital solutions, healthcare, education and skill development, renewable energy, logistics and port-led services, light manufacturing, and hospitality and tourism—positioning Mauritius as a gateway for Indian enterprises seeking international expansion.
Mauritius occupies a distinctive place in India–Commonwealth relations, shaped by strong cultural connections, and vibrant business networks within the Commonwealth framework. As one of Africa’s most stable and investor-friendly economies, it serves as a strategic gateway enabling businesses seamless access to high-growth markets across Africa—including Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, and Tanzania—as well as other Commonwealth nations like the UK, Canada, Australia, and Singapore.
Mr. Sanjeev Mulloo, Secretary of the Mauritius Business Entrepreneurs Association, emphasized India’s position as a global MSME hub, encouraging enterprises to leverage Mauritius as a stable platform for growth.
Dr. Asif Iqbal, President of the India Commonwealth Trade Council (ICTC), announced an upcoming business delegation to Mauritius in March 2026, designed to facilitate direct engagement with government authorities, industry stakeholders, and investment institutions. This initiative will enable Indian businesses to gain practical market insights, forge sector-specific partnerships, and capitalize on Mauritius’s role as a credible launchpad for African expansion.
The India–Commonwealth Trade Meeting 2025 successfully combined diplomacy, sectoral expertise, and enterprise leadership, equipping participants with actionable insights into trade opportunities, investment potential, and Mauritius’s strategic advantages as a hub for Indian businesses entering Commonwealth and African markets. With ICTC’s Vadodara office now operational, this gathering marked the beginning of sustained institutional support for long-term economic collaboration.
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