New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi described India-UK ties as “on the move” and “filled with great vigour” as he welcomed British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Mumbai for his first official visit to India since assuming office in July 2024. The two leaders shared a photo ahead of attending the Global Fintech Fest 2025, signaling the deepening partnership between the world’s largest democracy and the United Kingdom.
Starmer arrived leading the UK’s largest trade delegation to India to date, including over 100 business, academic, and cultural representatives. The British Prime Minister underscored the urgency of implementing the recently signed India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), describing it as “the most ambitious trade deal India has ever done” and a platform to unlock opportunities across technology, life sciences, and renewable energy.
The visit also marked milestones in defence cooperation, with India agreeing to purchase lightweight multirole missiles from the UK, valued at around $468 million, manufactured in Northern Ireland. This move reflects both nations’ commitment to deepening security ties alongside economic and technological collaboration.
During his first day in Mumbai, Starmer lit diyas, honoring India’s approaching Diwali festival a gesture symbolizing goodwill and shared cultural appreciation.
At the Global Fintech Fest, Starmer highlighted the strength of India-UK collaboration in fintech, noting that trade and services between the two nations have doubled over the past four years. He encouraged Indian companies to leverage the UK as a gateway to global markets, stating, “The UK and India are natural partners. Together, our talent, creativity, and innovation can create incredible opportunities for businesses in both countries.”
Starmer also unveiled initiatives to deepen cooperation in technology, education, and creative industries. British universities, including Lancaster and Surrey, will open campuses in India, while three Bollywood blockbusters are set to be filmed in the UK, strengthening cultural and educational ties.
Emphasizing the tech synergy between the two nations, Starmer noted that the UK is one of only three countries with a trillion-dollar tech sector, with India poised to join them. “We are both top four AI powers, and we are taking this opportunity to go further together,” he said.
Starmer praised India’s trajectory toward becoming the world’s third-largest economy by 2028, calling it “an economic superpower in the making.” He reaffirmed Britain’s readiness to be a partner in India’s growth story, highlighting the trade agreement as a launchpad for substantial investments, including £1.3 billion and over 10,000 jobs across various UK regions.
The leaders also discussed global issues, including peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and West Asia, as well as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Starmer emphasized collaboration on energy and security, reflecting the broader strategic dimensions of India-UK relations.
The CETA agreement, signed in July 2025, grants duty-free access to 99% of India’s exports to the UK, covering textiles, marine products, leather goods, auto components, and more. Starmer described the deal as a foundation for long-term cooperation, emphasizing that the partnership is about more than numbers it reflects confidence, shared vision, and the potential to shape the future together.
Concluding his visit, Starmer praised PM Modi’s leadership, stating that India’s economic and demographic dynamism, combined with UK expertise, makes for a partnership poised to achieve extraordinary results. “We are building something modern and meaningful a partnership that delivers real opportunities for businesses, students, and communities in both nations,” he said.
The India-UK relationship, bolstered by CETA, defence collaboration, and shared technological ambitions, is entering a new chapter one marked by optimism, mutual respect, and a commitment to building a future-ready global partnership.
