Mumbai, India – UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scheduled to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, the second and final day of his trade mission to India. The meeting aims to build upon the recent trade deal signed between the two countries in July.
Starmer arrived in India on Wednesday with a delegation of 125 leading British CEOs, entrepreneurs, and university vice-chancellors. The mission seeks to promote trade and business opportunities between the UK and India, the world's fifth and sixth largest economies, respectively. The UK leader has described the trade mission as an effort to "turbocharge" trade between the two countries.
The UK government views the July trade deal with India as the best secured by any country. Projections estimate that it could increase UK GDP by £4.8 billion each year, add £2.2 billion to wages, and boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion per year, with UK exports to India potentially growing by almost 60%.
During the visit, Starmer has emphasized that the focus is on business-to-business engagement, investment, and job creation, rather than relaxing visa rules for Indian workers and students. He stated that visas "played no part" in the trade deal and that this position remains unchanged. Instead, the UK aims to attract top global talent to help grow its economy and is encouraging UK universities to establish campuses in India.
In addition to trade, discussions between Starmer and Modi are expected to cover international relations, including India's relationship with Russia. Starmer has so far declined to comment on Modi’s relationship with Putin and India's continued purchase of Russian fossil fuels.
Furthermore, Starmer is expected to raise the case of Jagtar Singh Johal, a British citizen detained in India on terror charges. Johal's family is urging Starmer to take "decisive steps" to secure his release. Johal was arrested in November 2017 and claims to have been subjected to torture. Although acquitted in one case, he remains in jail facing federal charges.
Modi welcomed Starmer's visit, stating his hope to strengthen the "shared vision of a stronger, mutually prosperous future". The Technology Security Initiative, originally signed a year ago, is also slated for further discussion.
The Starmer-Modi meeting in Mumbai marks a significant step in solidifying trade relations between the UK and India, with both leaders expressing optimism for future collaboration.
