Mumbai: Sir Keir Starmer has met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the first visit to the country. The meeting has taken place in Mumbai, where the British Prime Minister is leading a two-day trade mission accompanied by the largest-ever UK delegation to India, including over 100 CEOs, entrepreneurs, university vice-chancellors, and cultural leaders.
The discussions have focused on strengthening business and trade relations following the signing of a landmark UK-India trade deal in July. Under the agreement, India’s average tariff on UK goods will fall from 15 percent to 3 percent, while the United Kingdom will reduce import duties on Indian clothing, footwear, jewellery, and frozen seafood. In return, India will cut taxes on Scotch whisky, cosmetics, medical devices, and luxury cars.
According to government estimates, the trade deal is projected to increase the UK’s gross domestic product (GDP) by GBP 4.8 billion each year and boost bilateral trade by GBP 25.5 billion annually by 2040. Officials have also confirmed that the agreement has already led to GBP 1 billion in investment and nearly 7,000 new jobs in the United Kingdom.
During the visit, Starmer has also announced that Yash Raj Films will produce three Bollywood films in the UK starting in 2026, ending an eight-year hiatus in film collaborations between the two nations. This initiative is expected to promote cultural exchange and highlight the UK as a creative hub for international cinema.
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On the first day of his visit, Starmer met Nandan Nilekani, the founder of India’s digital ID system, to discuss the United Kingdom’s plan to introduce a digital ID framework for verifying employment eligibility.
The proposal has drawn criticism, with more than 2.8 million people signing a petition against it. However, Downing Street has stated that the system will help curb illegal employment and enhance digital verification processes.
Starmer is also set to deliver a keynote address at a financial technology conference in Mumbai, emphasising the growing cooperation between both nations’ fintech industries. Modi has described the visit as ‘historic,’ as parts of Mumbai have been adorned with thousands of posters and photographs of both leaders.
The visit takes place during ongoing trade tensions between Delhi and Washington following President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25 percent penalty on imports linked to Russian oil. Despite these challenges, India continues to view the United Kingdom as a vital partner in its expanding global trade strategy.
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