Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Mumbai on Thursday during Starmer’s first official visit to India. The two leaders held delegation-level talks, highlighting the growing strategic and economic partnership between India and the UK.
Trust, Talent And Technology Drive India-UK Relations
Addressing a joint press conference, PM Modi said the partnership between India and the UK is built on “trustworthiness, talent, and technology.” He noted that under Starmer’s leadership, bilateral ties have advanced significantly. Recalling the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) during his July visit to London, Modi described it as “historic,” emphasising its potential to reduce import costs, generate youth employment, and boost trade. He also announced that nine UK universities will open campuses in India, with Southampton University already operational in Gurugram. Modi described the two nations as “natural partners” rooted in shared democratic values, stressing their cooperation on Indo-Pacific security, West Asia peace, and the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
Major Defence, Trade And Cultural Announcements
The two countries agreed to collaborate on military training, with Indian Air Force instructors set to train in the UK’s Royal Air Force. Additionally, an Industry Guild and Supply Chain Observatory will be established to focus on critical minerals, with a satellite campus at the Indian School of Mines in Dhanbad. Starmer called the India-UK Free Trade Agreement signed in July 2025 “hugely important,” noting it as the biggest deal since the UK left the EU, expected to boost annual bilateral trade by £25.5 billion. He met business leaders in Mumbai and highlighted this as the largest UK trade mission to India. Starmer also announced that three major Yash Raj Films productions will be shot in the UK from 2026 and lit diyas to celebrate Diwali, underscoring the cultural bond between the nations.
