British PM Keir Starmer to Meet PM Modi in Mumbai: Advancing India-UK Strategic Partnership and Trade Relations

The landmark trade agreement was established during Prime Minister Modi's official visit to London in July. (File)

New Delhi:

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to make his first official visit to India since taking office in July last year, with a two-day trip scheduled for October 8-9.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Starmer's visit will provide a "valuable opportunity" to reaffirm the shared vision between India and the UK in developing a forward-looking partnership.

The British leader will engage in comprehensive discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai on October 9.

This visit comes approximately two and a half months after both nations signed a significant free trade agreement designed to enhance market access, reduce tariffs, and double bilateral trade by 2030.

This crucial trade deal was finalized during Modi's diplomatic trip to London in July.

According to the MEA, the two prime ministers will evaluate progress across various aspects of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in accordance with 'Vision 2035', a decade-long roadmap of initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.

The key components of this roadmap include trade and investment, technology and innovation, defense and security, climate and energy, healthcare, education, and people-to-people connections.

"Both leaders will interact with business and industry representatives regarding opportunities presented by the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which serves as a central element of the future economic partnership between India and the UK," the MEA stated.

The prime ministers will also discuss their perspectives on regional and global issues of importance.

While in Mumbai, Modi and Starmer will attend the sixth Global Fintech Fest where they will deliver keynote addresses.

The leaders will also engage with industry experts, policymakers, and innovators at the event.

Along with the Free Trade Agreement—the UK's most significant trade deal since leaving the European Union—both countries also concluded a double contribution convention, which exempts employers of Indian workers from paying social security contributions in the UK.

India-UK bilateral trade exceeded USD 55 billion in 2023-24. The UK ranks as the sixth largest investor in India, with cumulative investments of USD 36 billion.

Indian investments in the UK approach USD 20 billion, with approximately 1,000 Indian companies operating in Britain providing employment to nearly 100,000 people.

The trade agreement facilitates increased market access, reduces tariffs on British whisky and automobiles among other products, and aims to double bilateral trade by 2030.