Nearly 200 new roles will be created in the West Country within a raft of major new deals announced by Keir Starmer during his visit to India and meetings with PM Narendra Modi this week.

With 64 Indian companies set to invest over £1bn into the UK, 6,800 jobs will follow from the move across the nation's regions and for the South West, India is eyeing a collective investment of £1.2bn, according to news issued today on the Prime Minister's trip by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).

A spokesperson said the trip saw "deals signed and sealed during the Prime Minister's trade mission, where he has promised to open doors for business in the South West and drive growth at home - delivering on the Plan for Change."

The investments are another vote of confidence in the South West economy, the DBT said, and cement the region's reputation as "one of the best places in the world to do business".

New roles in the South West (but not in Gloucestershire) include TVS Mobility creating 50 jobs at the division of Indian conglomerate TVS Group, which is a key player in the EV transition as well as pioneers in mobility space.

Meanwhile Enviro Control will create 75 positions and Agri-tech firm Atul is to develop a quarantine laboratory in Baltonsborough, Somerset, spawning 44 jobs for further R&D on sustainable agricultural innovation.

Additionally in Somerset, tech firm Atul-Date Palm Developments is investing £11m in sustainable and innovative Agri-tech, establishing advanced R&D that will create 44 highly-skilled jobs and support global climate resilience.

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said: "India is now the fourth-biggest economy in the world, and by investing billions of pounds to back thousands of jobs from sectors as diverse as AI, education, and financial services shows the scale of opportunity this presents for businesses in the South West.

"Their success in India will only grow as our new trade deal galvanises economic partnership, brings our two countries even closer together, and ultimately delivers economic growth right across the South West."

Elsewhere, Dorset-based Datawrkz, an India-based Advertising Technology leader, is investing £5m and creating 25 jobs in Bournemouth.

India, the DBT points out, is already the UK's second largest investor and more than 1,000 Indian companies operate in the UK, supporting millions of UK jobs.

The Prime Minister's visit to Mumbai saw meetings with Indian business leaders and, the DBT said, "sealed the deals that will result in growth and jobs that will put money directly into the pockets of hardworking British people".

Key further announcements included:

TVS Motor putting £250m at Solihull into expanding its Norton Motorcycles operations and developing next-generation electric vehicles, creating 300 high-quality jobs and collaborating with the University of Warwick.

Reading-based engineering company Cyient investing £100m to boost innovation in semiconductors, geospatial tech, mobility, clean energy, and digital domains - creating 300 UK jobs and strengthening its UK presence.

Mastek, a global digital engineering firm, is investing £2m to open a new AI and Experience Centre in its London and Leeds offices, generating 200 skilled roles, including 75 apprenticeships.

Marvel Medi Revolutions, operating as NeoCeltic Global Ltd, is investing £5m to deliver advanced orthopaedic and rehabilitation solutions, creating 85 jobs across London and Cardiff.

Alcor Logistics expanding into Liverpool and London with a £3m investment to establish UK operations as a non-vessel operator, creating 150 jobs and enhancing global freight and supply chain capabilities.

Dr. Anand Vashi, Chairman and MD of Enviro Control UK, said: "The UK's leadership in clean technology and commitment to climate action make it a natural partner. Our investment will establish an innovation hub in sustainable water technologies, catalyse collaboration across the UK's private water sector, and harness talent to accelerate breakthroughs in water reuse and solar desalination.

"We are proud to contribute to the UK's Net Zero and circular economy ambitions, create skilled jobs, and strengthen the growing partnership between India and the UK."

The investments underline the UK's continued attractiveness as a destination for innovation, talent, and global business growth, the government said, and 28 of the investments confirmed today fell under the priority areas of the UK-India Technology Security Initiative: "That includes 26 artificial intelligence companies, one semi-conductor company and one biotechnology company."

● The Technology Security Initiative launched in July last year and aims to increase collaboration with India in key and emerging technologies such as telecoms, critical minerals, AI, biotechnology and semiconductors.