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The Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) is the umbrella association representing over 1,200 manufacturers of medical devices across India, has said that the ongoing Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and a potential Mutual Recognition Agreement anchored on Indian Certification for Medical Devices (ICMED) certification, among others can strengthen regulatory alignment between the medial devices industry of UK and India.
A seven-member delegation representing India’s medical devices industry participated in a high-level Roundtable at the House of Lords in the UK Parliament to deliberate on emerging opportunities under the ongoing CETA. The session, jointly organised by the Indo British Business Forum (IBBF) and the Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI), brought together policymakers, regulators and industry leaders to advance a more collaborative and innovation-driven India–UK MedTech partnership.
The Indian delegation was led by Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, AiMeD & managing director, Hindustan Syringes & Medical Devices Ltd., and Gurmeet Singh Chugh, joint coordinator – Implants Vertical Group (IVG), AiMeD & CMD, Translumina.
Speaking at the Roundtable, Rajiv Nath said, “India’s medical device industry stands ready to partner with the UK to deliver safe, affordable and innovative technologies. Through CETA and a potential Mutual Recognition Agreement anchored on ICMED certification, we can streamline regulatory approvals, reduce duplication and build a trusted, transparent ecosystem that benefits patients, industry and regulators in both nations.”
Gurmeet Singh Chugh said, "There is immense scope to combine India’s cost-efficient manufacturing strengths with the UK’s advanced clinical and regulatory ecosystem. Smoother regulatory acceptance, joint R&D and co-development pathways will help both countries co-create world-class solutions that improve patient outcomes and set new global benchmarks in MedTech.”
The discussions centred on strengthening regulatory alignment, easing market access, enabling manufacturing partnerships, and enhancing technology transfers under CETA. Participants examined UKCA vs CE marking challenges, MHRA expectations, the UK Responsible Person framework, patient safety standards, NHS procurement pathways, and sustainability imperatives.
The Roundtable also highlighted areas where both nations can jointly develop scalable, future-ready healthcare solutions—particularly digital health and remote monitoring platforms where India’s strong IT and health-tech capabilities can support the NHS with cost-efficient service delivery. Delegates noted that India’s strengths in point-of-care diagnostics and early screening can reduce disease burden at the primary level, while frugal, community-based care models can help the UK address workforce shortages by shifting routine care closer to homes.
During the meeting, Dr. Zubir Ahmed, MP for Glasgow South West and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care, reaffirmed the UK Government’s commitment to maintaining open, constructive engagement with the medtech sector. He underscored the need to prioritise and fund innovative medical devices, recognising their significant contribution to patient care and to the wider UK economy.
Dr. Ahmed further noted that the UK is transitioning from a purely lowest-price procurement model to a value-based purchasing framework—one that factors in innovation, quality, long-term outcomes and system-wide benefits for the NHS.
Kavita Sharma, CEO of IBBF, averred, “This Roundtable demonstrates the strong momentum in UK–India MedTech collaboration. By enabling structured dialogue between policymakers and industry leaders, we are strengthening the platform for deeper partnerships, greater investments and more resilient healthcare systems.”
Both sides agreed to continue structured engagement to deepen regulatory cooperation, expand manufacturing ties, enhance clinical validation frameworks, advance digital health integration and strengthen global supply chain linkages. AiMeD, ABHI and IBBF committed to sustained dialogue to ensure that industry stakeholders can harness the opportunities emerging from CETA and the shared vision of a more resilient and innovation-led healthcare partnership.
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