New Delhi: United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer commenced his two-day official visit to India on Wednesday, a significant diplomatic engagement aimed at reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two nations, particularly in the wake of the historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in July.
This marks Mr. Starmer’s maiden visit to India since assuming office and is being seen as a pivotal moment to translate policy agreements into tangible economic outcomes. He is accompanied by a formidable delegation of over 100 business leaders, underscoring the visit’s strong focus on elevating trade and investment relations.
The bilateral dialogue between Mr. Starmer and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be centred on the operationalisation of the recently concluded India-U.K. Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the ambitious ‘Vision 2035’ roadmap. This framework is designed to significantly expand cooperation over the next decade across a spectrum of sectors, including trade, investment, technology, defence and clean energy.
A key engagement on the itinerary is a joint address by both Prime Ministers at the sixth edition of the Global FinTech Fest in Mumbai. The event will serve as a platform to showcase the burgeoning collaboration between India and the U.K. in the financial technology landscape, where both leaders will interact with industry stalwarts, policymakers, and innovators.
Beyond the economic agenda, the visit is also set to provide further impetus to the growing defence and security partnership. Discussions are anticipated to cover enhanced collaboration in defence technology, with a particular focus on the joint development of critical technologies, including jet engines.
Analysts note that Mr. Starmer’s visit is timed at a crucial juncture. The FTA signed in July is projected to double the bilateral trade volume to approximately $120 billion by 2030. The agreement is set to provide greater market access for Indian sectors such as textiles, leather, and jewellery, while benefiting British industries including automobiles and Scotch whisky, creating a new chapter of balanced and mutually beneficial economic growth.
