British PM Keir Starmer Begins First Official Visit to India at PM Modi’s Invitation

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer embarked on his first official two-day visit to India on Tuesday, responding to an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit aims to strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership under the “Vision 2035” roadmap, with discussions covering trade, investment, technology, and defence cooperation.

The highlight of the talks will be the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which, once ratified, will eliminate tariffs on over 90% of goods. Richard Heald, Chair of the UK India Business Council, called this visit “pivotal,” emphasizing the deepening ties driven by innovation and mutual growth.

Starmer is accompanied by a high-powered delegation of over 100 business leaders, university heads, and cultural figures. Lord Karan Bilimoria, Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) UK, hailed the visit as a strong signal that “Britain means business when it comes to India,” especially just months after the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) at Chequers in July.

The visit coincides with Exercise Konkan, a joint naval operation in the Arabian Sea, symbolizing growing defence cooperation. Both leaders will also address the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, highlighting the India-UK Technology Security Initiative (TSI) that promotes collaboration in emerging fields such as AI, quantum computing, and biotechnology.

British Airways CEO Sean Doyle, part of the delegation, announced plans to expand air connectivity between the two nations. With bilateral trade currently valued at £44.1 billion, the new FTA is expected to double this by 2030. The visit signifies a major milestone in building a forward-looking partnership focused on shared prosperity, innovation, and strategic trust between India and the United Kingdom.