Mumbai, India – UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's first official visit to India is proving to be a vibrant blend of cultural immersion and high-stakes trade discussions. Landing in Mumbai on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, Starmer was greeted by top Maharashtra officials, including CM Devendra Fadnavis, marking the beginning of a whirlwind two-day trip.
The Prime Minister's itinerary reflects a multi-faceted approach to strengthening ties between the UK and India. A key focus of the visit is to solidify the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, guided by the 'Vision 2035' roadmap. This 10-year plan encompasses various sectors, including trade and investment, technology and innovation, defense and security, climate and energy, health, education, and people-to-people connections.
Trade talks are high on the agenda, with Starmer aiming to leverage Britain's largest post-Brexit trade agreement to date. Accompanied by a delegation of over 125 business, cultural, and academic leaders, including executives from Rolls-Royce, British Telecom, and the London Stock Exchange, Starmer is pushing for the swift implementation of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in July. The FTA seeks to lower tariffs on a wide range of goods and provide broader market access for businesses on both sides. Analysts estimate the agreement could boost bilateral trade by approximately £25.5 billion ($34 billion) by 2040. Starmer has described the deal as a "launchpad" for expanding bilateral trade and economic growth, emphasizing the unparalleled opportunities with India set to become the world's third-largest economy by 2028.
However, Starmer has stated that the UK will not relax visa rules to offer more to Indians, emphasizing business engagement and investment over visa relaxations for Indian workers and students.
Beyond trade, Starmer's visit included a touch of Bollywood magic. He visited Yash Raj Studios, the production house behind the iconic film "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" (DDLJ), ahead of its 30th anniversary. He listened to the tunes of the movie and met with actress Rani Mukherjee. Starmer announced that three new Bollywood blockbusters would be filmed in the UK starting in 2026, a move expected to create over 3,000 jobs and inject millions into the UK economy. Yash Raj Films confirmed plans to bring their major productions to locations across the United Kingdom from early 2026, creating over 3,000 jobs and boosting the economy. Starmer said, "Bollywood is back in Britain, and it's bringing jobs, investment and opportunity, all while showcasing the UK as a world-class destination for global filmmaking".
The visit also featured cultural celebrations. Starmer participated in Diwali festivities by lighting traditional diyas (lamps), symbolizing the cultural bond between the UK and India as the Diwali festival approaches.
Starmer is also examining India's digital ID system as a potential model for the UK. He met with Nandan Nilekani, the non-exec chair of the tech company Infosys, to discuss the rollout of the Aadhaar system in India.
On Thursday, October 9, 2025, Starmer is scheduled to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review progress on the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discuss regional and global issues. Both leaders will also participate in the 6th Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai.
Starmer's visit underscores the UK's commitment to strengthening its relationship with India, balancing economic objectives with cultural appreciation.
