What happened
On October 8, 2025 British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in India for a two-day official visit, accompanied by over a hundred leaders from business, culture, and academia to promote the recently signed India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). During the visit, both leaders will review progress under the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, focusing on trade and investment, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate and energy, health, education, and people-to-people relations.
Why it matters to India
The visit strengthens India’s economic and strategic partnership with the United Kingdom and aligns with Vision 2035, emphasizing shared growth and cooperation. The engagement with business leaders from sectors such as energy, aviation, and consumer goods highlights the potential of bilateral trade, projected to increase by £25.5 billion ($34 billion) by 2040. The leaders’ participation in the 6th Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai underscores India’s emerging role as a global economic hub and its strategic importance in fostering innovation, investment, and connectivity.