PM Modi and Keir Starmer Strengthen India-UK Partnership During Mumbai Visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the relationship between India and the United Kingdom as "on the move" and "filled with great vigour" while sharing an image with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his two-day official visit to India.

The photograph, which PM Modi shared on social media, was captured before both leaders headed to the Global Fintech Fest 2025 in Mumbai. This visit marks Starmer's first official trip to India since taking office in July 2024.

Modi shared on social media: "India-UK friendship is on the move and is filled with great vigour! A picture from earlier today, when my friend PM Starmer and I began our journey to attend the Global Fintech Fest."

Starmer arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday, leading a substantial UK trade delegation comprising over 100 representatives from business, academic, and cultural sectors. During his visit, Starmer emphasized the importance of rapidly implementing the recently signed India-UK trade agreement, stating it should happen "as soon as humanly possible."

Speaking at the Global Fintech Fest, the British Prime Minister characterized the India-UK free trade pact as "the most ambitious trade deal India has ever done." Negotiations for this comprehensive agreement had begun in January 2022, culminating in the signing of the India-United Kingdom Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) in July 2025.

The visit also saw the announcement of a significant defence deal, with the UK agreeing to supply India with lightweight multirole missiles valued at approximately $468 million. These missiles, manufactured in Northern Ireland, represent an effort to strengthen security and defence cooperation between the two nations.

On the first day of his visit, Starmer participated in a cultural gesture by lighting diyas in Mumbai, a particularly meaningful act with Diwali approaching.