British PM Keir Starmer Arrives in India to Strengthen Economic Ties After Trade Deal
October 8, 2025 | Updated 7 minutes ago
Mumbai: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in India on Wednesday for his first official visit since London and New Delhi signed a historic free trade agreement (FTA) earlier this year. The landmark accord capped years of negotiations aimed at boosting trade between the two major economies.
Starmer is leading a 125-member business delegation, which includes top executives such as British Airways CEO Sean Doyle, to explore new opportunities for bilateral investment and economic collaboration.
The two-day visit follows Starmer’s July meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in London, where the trade deal was officially signed. During his stay, Starmer will meet Modi again and address a fintech conference in Mumbai, underscoring both nations’ commitment to expanding cooperation in technology and finance.
“With India set to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2028, and trade between our countries about to become quicker and cheaper, the opportunities are unparalleled,” Starmer said in a statement before his arrival.
India and the UK — currently the fifth- and sixth-largest economies in the world — share bilateral trade worth around $54.8 billion, supporting more than 600,000 jobs across both nations.
According to India’s Foreign Ministry, the visit will help “reaffirm the shared vision of a forward-looking partnership” between the two countries, centered on innovation, sustainability, and mutual growth.
Under the new free trade deal, India will reduce tariffs on British imports such as whisky, cosmetics, and medical devices, while the UK will lower duties on Indian exports including textiles, footwear, and food products like frozen prawns.
However, Starmer clarified that visa expansion for Indian professionals is not part of the agreement.
“That isn’t part of the plan,” he told reporters en route to Mumbai. “We’re here to take advantage of the trade deal we’ve already struck and to ensure its smooth implementation.”
Meanwhile, human rights groups have urged the British Prime Minister to raise the case of Jagtar Singh Johal, a Scottish Sikh blogger detained in India since 2017 over an alleged plot to assassinate right-wing Hindu leaders. Johal has not been convicted, and one of the nine charges against him was dismissed earlier this year.
