Mumbai: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday for a two-day visit aimed at deepening trade and economic relations between India and the United Kingdom. He was welcomed at the airport by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and Governor Acharya Devvrat.
During his visit, Starmer and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will review progress under the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, aligned with Vision 2035. The discussions will focus on trade, investment, defence, technology, climate action, energy, healthcare, and education. Both leaders are also expected to meet top industry representatives to explore new opportunities created by the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
Starmer’s Mumbai schedule includes attending a football event at Cooperage Ground, visiting Yash Raj Studios, and interacting with leading industrialists. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to meet him later in the day, ahead of a full day of formal diplomatic and business engagements on Thursday.
The visit follows Prime Minister Modi’s trip to London in July, during which both countries signed a landmark trade deal and announced nearly £6 billion in new investments and export gains, expected to create over 2,200 jobs in the UK. The agreement reduces tariffs on British goods entering India and aims to accelerate trade between the two nations.
Calling the deal a “launchpad for growth,” Starmer said the partnership comes at a time when India is poised to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2028. “This is not just a piece of paper—it’s a launchpad for growth. With trade becoming faster and cheaper, the opportunities waiting to be seized are extraordinary,” he said in a government release.
He added that his visit, accompanied by 125 leading British companies, reflects the UK’s commitment to expanding its presence in India. “Growth in India means more opportunities and jobs back home in the UK,” Starmer said.
The Prime Minister is leading a 125-member delegation the largest ever UK trade mission to India—comprising top business leaders, entrepreneurs, university heads, and cultural institutions. Representatives from British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, NatWest, Premier League, Ernst & Young, Rolls-Royce, BT, Diageo, and the London Stock Exchange are among those participating. The mission aims to secure new partnerships, boost exports, and strengthen long-term business collaboration.
Starmer clarified that visa arrangements will not form part of his discussions with the Indian leadership. Speaking to reporters, he said the focus is on implementing the free trade agreement, not revisiting immigration terms.
“That isn’t part of the plans,” he stated, emphasizing that while the UK welcomes skilled global talent, visa-related matters are not included in the current round of talks. He reiterated his government’s firm stance on controlling immigration while supporting business growth through trade and investment.
Starmer’s visit is expected to further elevate the UK–India economic partnership and pave the way for stronger collaboration across key sectors in the coming years.
