Post by : Rameen Ariff

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday for a two-day official visit to India, following the landmark India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) signed in New Delhi after years of negotiations. Starmer was accompanied by a 125-member delegation, including top business leaders such as British Airways CEO Sean Doyle.

During his visit, Starmer is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and jointly address a fintech conference in Mumbai. The trip comes at a time when both countries are managing major geopolitical shifts and strengthening trade ties, particularly in response to U.S. tariff policies under President Donald Trump.

On arrival in Delhi, Starmer was warmly received at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport by the Governor of Maharashtra and Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, along with senior state officials. He is also expected to meet Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar for bilateral discussions.

On Thursday, Starmer will meet PM Modi at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai at 10:00 am to review progress on the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership under “Vision 2035,” a 10-year roadmap that complements the FTA signed in July. Both leaders will participate in the CEO Forum and the 6th edition of the Global Fintech Fest, engaging with industry leaders and businesses about opportunities from the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. They will also discuss regional and global issues with policymakers, innovators, and experts.

The UK PM is scheduled to depart India at 11:30 pm on Thursday.

India and the UK are the world’s fifth- and sixth-largest economies, with bilateral trade valued at approximately $54.8 billion, supporting over 600,000 jobs across both nations. Starmer highlighted that India is projected to become the third-largest economy by 2028, offering unmatched trade and investment opportunities.

Under the new FTA, India will reduce tariffs on British goods such as whisky, cosmetics, and medical devices, while Britain will cut duties on Indian clothing, footwear, and food products, including frozen prawns. However, Starmer clarified that expanding visa access for Indian professionals is not part of the current plan, emphasizing the immediate focus is on implementing the trade agreement.

This visit aims to reinforce the forward-looking partnership between India and the United Kingdom, focusing on trade, investment, innovation, and economic cooperation.

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