UK appoints Harshbir Sangha as Deputy High Commissioner to Karnataka

Bengaluru: The UK has appointed Harshbir Sangha as its new Deputy High Commissioner to Karnataka, with a mandate to deepen trade, investment, technology, education and climate ties with the state.

Sangha will oversee the UK’s engagement with Karnataka, including efforts to strengthen business and trade links, scientific and technological cooperation, and education partnerships, the British government said in a statement on Friday.

He will also serve as the UK’s Deputy Trade Commissioner for Investment in South Asia, focusing on attracting investment from India and the wider South Asian region into the UK.


Sangha takes charge at a time when the UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is in force. The agreement is expected to increase bilateral trade, currently valued at about £48 billion a year, by £25.5 billion in the long term. It provides for liberalisation of 99% of UK tariff lines and 90% of Indian tariff lines.

Sectors expected to benefit include information technology, agro-processing, engineering goods, textiles, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology and renewable energy.

“I am delighted to welcome Harshbir as the new British Deputy High Commissioner to Karnataka,” said Ben Mellor, Acting British High Commissioner to India. He said Sangha’s experience at the UK Space Agency would help strengthen cooperation in science, technology and innovation, particularly from Bengaluru, a major global technology hub.

Sangha said Karnataka was a key partner for the UK in trade, investment, technology, education and climate action.

“I hope to bring my experience in government to realise our ambition,” he said.

Sangha succeeds Chandru Iyer as British Deputy High Commissioner to Karnataka.

The British Deputy High Commission in Bengaluru represents the UK government in Karnataka and works with the state government, businesses, academic institutions and civil society to strengthen bilateral ties.