Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UK last week—his first in five years and fourth as prime minister—is a milestone for the relationship between London and New Delhi. It marks a maturing of the bilateral relationship beyond longstanding linkages of a common language, legal system, and the so-called ‘living bridge’ of diaspora connections. However, it can also be seen as a microcosm of the broader opportunities and challenges shaping India’s relations with the West.
The primary purpose of the visit was to sign the free trade agreement (FTA) concluded in May. The in-principle agreement was reached after three years of talks and 14 rounds of negotiations. The signing of the FTA—formally known as a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement—paves the way for the ratification process. Full implementation could take up to a year, as the UK parliament still needs to approve the agreement (India’s cabinet has already consented).
Blueprint for shared prosperity
The India-UK FTA reflects New Delhi’s approach to trade negotiations: emphasising mutually beneficial and reciprocal (or “win-win”) deals. PM Modi has referred to the FTA as a “blueprint for our shared prosperity” while his UK counterpart, Keir Starmer, has called it a “bold step forward for Global Britain”. For both sides, market access and job creation are the primary objectives.
