British PM Keir Starmer says not seeking visa deal as he begins 2-day official India visit

British PM Keir Starmer

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made it clear that the United Kingdom will not pursue any visa-related deal with New Delhi, even as he looks to strengthen economic relations following the recently signed trade pact, reported Reuters.

Starmer begins a two-day trip to India on Wednesday, leading a delegation of British businesses aiming to boost trade opportunities under the agreement reached in May, finalized in July, and scheduled to take effect next year.

Speaking to reporters on his flight to India, Starmer said, “That isn’t part of the plans,” when asked whether visa discussions would be reopened, Reuters reported. He emphasized that the purpose of his trip was “to take advantage of the free trade agreement that we’ve already struck,” adding, “Businesses are taking advantage of that. But the issue is not about visas.”

He explained that visa disagreements had previously hindered progress on a trade deal, and now that both countries had succeeded in finalizing an accord without immigration implications, he did not intend to revisit the subject in talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.

Starmer’s position comes as he seeks to adopt a tougher approach to immigration, a key concern for British voters. His Labour Party has been losing ground in polls to the populist Reform UK party, which has made migration a central issue.

Responding to questions about whether he might ease visa rules to attract Indian tech professionals—especially after U.S. President Donald Trump raised H-1B visa fees—Starmer maintained that visas would “not be on the table,” although he reiterated his broader ambition to bring “top talent” into Britain.

When asked if the UK would consider halting visas for nationals from countries that refuse to take back deportees or foreign offenders, Starmer dismissed the idea as a “non-issue” with India, pointing out that a returns agreement already exists. However, he noted, “We are looking at whether there should be a link between visas and returns agreements.”

With inputs from Reuters