Keir Starmer is embarking on his inaugural official trip to India today following the successful negotiation of a significant trade agreement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Accompanied by a delegation of over 100 UK corporate executives and university leaders, the Prime Minister will be in Mumbai to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. The trade deal, valued at £6 billion, was finalized during a meeting between Mr. Starmer and PM Modi at Chequers, Buckinghamshire, back in July.
PM Modi hailed the agreement as the beginning of a new era in the historical ties between the two nations, emphasizing its potential to enhance shared prosperity. Mr. Starmer highlighted the deal’s economic significance, comparing it to the period post-Brexit. Once ratified, the agreement will lead to a substantial reduction in tariffs on key UK exports like whisky and gin.
The trade pact comes after a failed attempt by former PM Boris Johnson to secure a post-Brexit deal with India. Despite Johnson’s promise to finalize a deal by Diwali in late October 2022, he was removed from office three months later. Subsequent negotiations under Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak also did not yield a successful agreement.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs announced that PM Modi and Mr. Starmer will attend the Global Fintech conference in Mumbai during their visit, aiming to build upon the progress made during PM Modi’s visit to the UK in July 2025. The visit is seen as an opportunity to reaffirm the shared vision for a forward-looking partnership between India and the United Kingdom.
Mr. Starmer may face inquiries regarding India’s purchase of Russian oil amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Recent actions by former US President Donald Trump, including imposing tariffs on Indian goods for dealings with Russia, could add complexity to the discussions during the visit.
