British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has arrived in India for a two‑day visit aimed at strengthening economic ties between the two nations. The trip follows the landmark free‑trade agreement signed by London and New Delhi months earlier, which concluded years of intense negotiations. Starmer is accompanied by a 125‑member delegation that includes top business leaders such as British Airways chief executive Sean Doyle.
The visit builds on Starmer’s July meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in London, where the two leaders signed the trade accord. During his stay, Starmer is scheduled to meet Modi again on Thursday and to address a fintech conference in Mumbai alongside the Indian premier. He argues that, with India projected to become the world’s third‑largest economy by 2028, opportunities for trade and investment are unparalleled.
India and the United Kingdom are the world’s fifth‑ and sixth‑largest economies, respectively, with bilateral trade valued at roughly $54.8 billion and investments supporting more than 600,000 jobs across both countries. Under the new deal, India will reduce tariffs on British imports such as whisky, cosmetics and medical devices, while the UK will cut duties on Indian clothing, footwear and food products, including frozen prawns.
The visit is expected to provide a valuable opportunity for both nations to reaffirm their shared vision of a forward‑looking partnership. However, Starmer has ruled out expanding visa access for Indian professionals despite industry pressure, emphasizing that the priority is implementing the already‑signed free‑trade agreement.
Rights groups have urged Starmer to raise the case of Scottish Sikh blogger Jagtar Singh Johal, detained in India since 2017 over an alleged plot to kill right‑wing Hindu leaders. Johal has not been convicted, and one of the nine charges against him was dismissed in March.
Overall, Starmer’s trip is significant for its potential to boost economic ties between the UK and India, creating new opportunities for trade and investment. As the two nations work to implement the free‑trade agreement, the visit is seen as a crucial step toward strengthening their partnership and promoting mutual growth and development.
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