British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is currently in India on a two-day visit, accompanied by a delegation of over 120 leaders from various sectors, including business, culture, and academia. The visit, which began on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, aims to promote the recently signed free trade agreement (FTA) between the UK and India and strengthen bilateral ties.
Starmer's visit marks his first official trip to India since assuming office. He is scheduled to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai to discuss the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and review the "Vision 2035" roadmap. This 10-year plan covers various aspects of cooperation, including trade and investment, technology and innovation, defense and security, climate and energy, health, education, and people-to-people relations.
The two prime ministers are also expected to deliver keynote addresses at the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2025 in Mumbai. The event, themed "Powered by AI: Augmented Intelligence, Innovation, and Inclusion," highlights the collaboration between the two nations in trade, technology, and innovation.
The FTA between the UK and India was signed in July 2025 during Prime Minister Modi's visit to London. The agreement aims to reduce tariffs on a wide range of goods, including textiles, whisky, and cars, and provide greater market access for businesses in both countries. Negotiations for the trade pact concluded in May 2025, after three years of discussions.
Both sides are eager to ratify the deal and implement it by the end of 2026. Starmer has expressed his desire for the FTA to be implemented as soon as "humanly possible". The agreement is projected to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion (approximately $34 billion) by 2040. UK officials consider this a baseline estimate, with significant potential for further growth.
The UK government has stated that the visit, which includes executives from companies such as BP, Rolls-Royce, and BT, is intended to maximize Britain's largest post-Brexit trade deal. Starmer emphasized that the deal is not just a document but a "launchpad for growth," noting that India is projected to become the world's third-largest economy by 2028.
During his visit, Starmer also met with Nandan Nilekani, the non-executive chair of Infosys, to discuss India's digital ID system as a potential model for the UK. He defended the introduction of a similar voluntary system in the UK, suggesting it could be expanded to school applications, mortgages, and driving licenses.
Furthermore, Starmer announced that three new Bollywood blockbusters would be produced in the UK by Yash Raj Films, creating over 3,000 jobs. Deals signed during the trip are expected to generate approximately 7,000 jobs through Indian investment in the UK.
The visit also includes representatives from the Scotch Whisky Association, as the UK-India trade deal is set to reduce whisky tariffs faced by UK firms from 150% to 75% immediately, before further reducing them to 40% over the next decade.
