Insider Media Limited

Birmingham Airport is among several West Midlands companies joining a delegation to India with business secretary Vince Cable. Cable said he was leading the visit “to strengthen the enhanced partnership between the two countries and co-chair trade talks”.

Fifty British companies are taking part in the stopover, including representatives from the airport and Birmingham-based software firm Delcam.

The visit follows on from the mission led by Prime Minister David Cameron in July last year. Cable, who was part of that trade mission, will be the first UK cabinet minister to visit this year.

Cable said: "India is focused on its drivers for growth and development such as infrastructure, education and skills. That's why I am taking a trade mission with me and talking to British businesses in India that can help to meet that demand.

"I am also passionate about encouraging more British firms of all sizes to look to India as a place of real business opportunity, and more small Indian companies to look to the UK as their European destination of choice.

"This visit will significantly strengthen our enhanced partnership for the benefit of British and Indian companies, for the benefit of our economies, and for the benefit of both our peoples."

Delcam's marketing manager Peter Dickin said: "India is an important and growing market for our manufacturing software. We are delighted to be able to support this high-profile mission to India, which will add to our high reputation in the country."

The UK's bilateral trade with India is currently worth about £11.5bn. Exports have continued to grow since the July visit with latest figures showing a rise of 35 per cent in UK exports to India in the year to October.