UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives in India, marks new chapter in strategic partnership
New Delhi, Oct 08: United Kingdom Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday morning for his first official visit, marking what officials described as a “new chapter” in the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed the British leader on social media, writing: “A warm welcome to PM @Keir_Starmer of the United Kingdom! Received by Governor of Maharashtra and Gujarat Mr. Acharya Devvrat @maha_governor at the airport. This visit marks a new chapter in our strong & dynamic India–UK partnership.”
Starmer is visiting India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a two-day trip focused on trade, technology, defence cooperation, and innovation. The visit builds on the momentum generated during Prime Minister Modi’s July 2025 visit to the United Kingdom, when both countries signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and launched the Vision 2035 roadmap.
Talks on Trade, Technology, and Security
On October 9 in Mumbai, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Starmer will review progress on the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was elevated in 2021 to a transformational level. The leaders will discuss cooperation under Vision 2035, a ten-year roadmap focusing on trade and investment, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate and energy, health, education, and people-to-people ties.
A key agenda item is the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which brings together the world’s fifth and sixth-largest economies. The agreement aims to double bilateral trade, currently valued at USD 56 billion, by 2030. The UK has already offered tariff-free access to 99.1% of its trade lines, covering sectors like textiles, engineering goods, auto parts, and gems and jewellery.
The two leaders will also address the 6th Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, where they will deliver keynote speeches alongside business leaders, policymakers, and innovators.
Expanding Defence and Innovation Ties
Defence cooperation remains a cornerstone of the partnership. Under the Defence Industrial Roadmap, both nations are pursuing joint design, development, and production of defence technologies. Regular joint military exercises — such as Konkan, Cobra Warrior, Ajeya Warrior, and Tarang Shakti — have strengthened operational cooperation between the two forces.
In science and innovation, India and the UK are already major partners, with joint research investments worth £300–400 million. A new Net Zero Innovation Virtual Centre is also being planned to promote collaboration on green hydrogen, industrial decarbonisation, and clean energy technologies.
Education, Health, and People-to-People Ties
Education and migration will be another focus. Over 170,000 Indian students are currently studying in the UK, making India one of the largest sources of international students. The University of Southampton’s new campus in Gurugram, the first foreign university established under India’s New Education Policy, is expected to be formally highlighted during the visit.
In the health sector, both sides will build upon their earlier collaborations, including the India–UK Framework for Healthcare Workforce and the joint R&D efforts that led to the AstraZeneca–Serum Institute COVID-19 vaccine. The Indian diaspora, forming about 2.6% of the UK population, continues to play a significant role in bridging cultural and economic ties. Over 65,000 UK-based companies are owned by people of Indian origin, contributing substantially to job creation and local economies.
A Forward-Looking Partnership
Officials in both New Delhi and London view Starmer’s visit as a symbolic reaffirmation of mutual commitment to a modern, technology-driven, and inclusive partnership. “The visit will provide an opportunity for both Prime Ministers to take stock of the growing relationship and chart a future-oriented agenda anchored in innovation, sustainability, and shared democratic values,” a senior MEA official said. As the two leaders prepare to meet on Thursday, expectations are high that the visit will set the tone for a new era of economic, technological, and strategic cooperation between India and the United Kingdom.
