UK PM Starmer visits India: What’s on the agenda?

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has arrived in India for a 2-day state visit. This comes just a few months after India and the UK finalised their long-awaited trade deal after long negotiations. This is Starmer’s first visit to India as prime minister.

The UK Prime Minister is also slated to meet his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during the visit. The two will address a fintech conference in Mumbai on October 9. Reports say the two sides also look to enhance cooperation on connectivity and transport, critical and emerging technologies and pharmaceuticals.

"With India set to be the third biggest economy in the world by 2028, and trade with them about to become quicker and cheaper, the opportunities waiting to be seized are unparalleled," Starmer said in a statement.

The visit "will provide a valuable opportunity to reaffirm the shared vision of India and the United Kingdom to build a forward-looking partnership", India's foreign ministry said in a statement.

Aviation is likely to get a boost. British Airways is part of Starmer’s delegation and just announced plans to introduce a third daily flight between Delhi and Heathrow next year. Just hours before the PM departed from the UK, even the Manchester Airport also revealed a new direct route to Delhi.

India-UK will explore close cooperation on jet engines as a central piece to the defence ties.

India-UK trade deal

Under the new deal, India will slash tariffs on imports of British goods such as whisky, cosmetics and medical devices, while Britain will reduce duties on clothing, footwear and food products, including frozen prawns from India.

However, Starmer ruled out expanding visa access for Indian professionals despite pressure from industry.

"That isn't part of the plan," he told reporters en route to Mumbai. "We're here now to take advantage of the free trade agreement that we've already struck. We've got to implement it."

Starmer's first official trip to India, which he hopes will boost economic ties between the two nations, sees him accompanied by a 125-member delegation that includes top business leaders including British Airways chief executive Sean Doyle.