UK PM Keir Starmer arrives in India on two-day visit: What’s on agenda?

The two-day visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will see both leaders take stock of the progress made across all aspects of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in line with “Vision 2035” (Image: Reuters)

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday arrived in Mumbai on a two-day for a two-day visit, joined by a delegation of over 100 people from the business, culture and other sectors.

The visit follows the signing of a trade agreement between India and the UK during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Britain in July. It comes at a time when both nations are adjusting to major geopolitical realignments, particularly in their trade relations with the United States under President Donald Trump.

Keir Starmer’s India visit: What’s on agenda?

-Starmer’s schedule on Wednesday includes attending a soccer event at Cooperage Ground, visiting Yash Raj Studios, and meeting several leading industrialists, according to a report by CNN-News18.

-Later, in the evening, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is expected to call on him for discussions.

-Thursday marks the official working day of the visit, with scheduled high-level diplomatic discussions and business interactions.

-The two-day visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will see both leaders take stock of the progress made across all aspects of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in line with “Vision 2035” -- a 10-year roadmap agreed alongside the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in July to build on the key pillars of the partnership.

-The focus of the Modi-Starmer bilateral talks will be on the opportunities presented by the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), as the FTA is known, which is set to remove tariffs on over 90 per cent of goods once it is ratified by the UK Parliament.

-The much-anticipated visit will see both Starmer and Modi deliver keynote addresses at the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, spotlighting the India-UK Technology Security Initiative (TSI) clinched last year with an aim to enhance bilateral collaboration in critical and emerging technologies such as telecoms, AI, quantum computing, biotechnology and critical minerals.

-The two leaders will also attend the CEO Forum at Jio World Center, Mumbai on Thursday.

-Major household names such as Rolls-Royce, British Telecom, Diageo, London Stock Exchange and British Airways have reportedly joined Starmer’s delegation as he promises to secure opportunities for them to grow and expand into the Indian market – delivering growth and supporting jobs at home.

-“The Prime Minister will personally commit to unlocking opportunities for Great British business to grow and expand during his two-day visit – securing investments and sealing deals that directly benefit the British people,” an official statement by the UK government said.

-“We signed a major trade deal with India in July – the best secured by any country – but the story doesn’t stop there. It’s not just a piece of paper, it’s a launchpad for growth. 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.

-Jyoti Vij, Director General of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said Starmer's visit comes at a defining moment when the promise of CETA could be translated to tangible business outcomes. "We expect this engagement to unlock new opportunities in advanced manufacturing, green finance, digital innovation, and mobility of skilled professionals — creating a future-ready partnership that supports growth, sustainability, and shared prosperity across both economies,” she said, according to PTI.