Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday in Mumbai during Starmer’s first official visit to India. The leaders exchanged pleasantries and shook hands, signaling continued close ties between the two nations.
During his two-day visit, Starmer engaged with business leaders in Mumbai, emphasizing the strategic importance of the India-UK trade partnership. Speaking to industry representatives, he highlighted that this delegation represents the largest trade mission the United Kingdom has ever undertaken in India. Starmer also described his visit as the “return leg” following PM Modi’s official trip to the UK earlier this year.
Central to their discussions was the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in July 2024, which Starmer described as “hugely important.” The deal, inked during PM Modi’s visit to London, is the largest trade agreement the UK has signed since leaving the European Union and is also among the most significant deals for India. The FTA is expected to boost bilateral trade by approximately £25.5 billion annually, reinforcing economic and commercial collaboration between the two nations.
In addition to trade discussions, cultural cooperation was highlighted during Starmer’s visit. The UK PM announced that three major productions from India’s leading film studio, Yash Raj Films (YRF), will be shot across multiple UK locations starting in 2026. The announcement, confirmed by the British High Commission, underscores growing creative industry collaboration.
Starmer also participated in Diwali festivities by lighting diyas in Mumbai, reflecting the longstanding cultural ties between India and the UK. He further engaged with football fans in the city, praising the sport’s ability to unite communities and highlighting the positive impact of Premier League training programs on the development of football in India.
The UK PM’s visit builds on PM Modi’s July trip to the UK, during which nearly £6 billion in new investment and export opportunities were confirmed. The bilateral engagement between Modi and Starmer underscores the strengthening of trade, cultural, and sports collaborations, demonstrating a shared commitment to deepening India-UK relations in the years ahead.
