UK PM Keir Starmer India Visit Live Updates: India on track to become 3rd largest economy, says Starmer

India and the UK unveiled a series of initiatives including a government-to-government agreement on supply of lightweight multirole missile (LMM) systems to enhance India's air defence capabilities. The new measures to expand the bilateral defence cooperation were announced following wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer. 

In his statement to the media, Modi also referred to the growing defence ties between the two countries. "From defence and security to education and innovation, India and the UK are shaping new dimensions in their relationship," he said.

A joint statement on Modi-Starmer talks listed the plan to supply lightweight multirole missile systems to the Indian military besides an in-principle move to finalise an inter-governmental pact to jointly develop maritime electric propulsion systems for India's naval platforms.

Britain highlighted the job creation benefits accruing from 64 Indian investment projects worth 1.3 billion pounds announced during Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to Mumbai, which are expected to generate 6,900 new jobs across diverse sectors. Downing Street officials said the deals signed and sealed during Starmer's visit are a vote of confidence in the UK as a business destination and demonstrate the impact the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is already having on investor confidence ahead of its British parliamentary ratification.

The Indian companies planning to launch and expand their products in the UK cover next-generation electric motorbikes, semiconductors, agricultural innovation, artificial intelligence and education technology.

“These investments are a powerful endorsement of the UK's global standing and economic potential. Nearly 7,000 new jobs spread across every region of our country will mean more opportunities, more innovation, and make working people better off,” said Starmer, in a statement issued from his London office.

India is on track to become the third largest economy by 2028 and the UK is perfectly placed to be a partner in this journey, said PM Starmer. Addressing a news conference, he said, India-UK trade deal is a launchpad to boost British leadership in areas ranging from technology to life sciences to renewable energy and more. 

The India-UK partnership stands as an important pillar of global stability and economic progress at a time the world is witnessing uncertainties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday after holding wide-ranging talks with his British counterpart Keir Starmer.
The two sides, following the Modi-Starmer talks, announced plans to supply lightweight multirole missile systems to the Indian military to boost its air defence capabilities besides an in-principle move to finalise an inter-governmental pact to jointly develop maritime electric propulsion systems for India's naval platforms.

Starmer asked industry leaders from India and UK to list out what the governments of both the countries could do to remove barriers stopping them from capitalising on opportunities. "We want to support you to maximize the potential in relation to this trade agreement," Starmer said, adding that there has been a 6 billion pound boost in trade and investment in the three months since the CETA was signed in July.

At the Global Fintech Fest, PM Narendra Modi said that India is one of the most technologically inclusive societies today because of democratisation of technology in the last decade. It is also in favour of global framework for ethical AI. While talking about the digitisation, PM Modi said, "India is also witnessing 20 billion transactions worth Rs 25 lakh cr through UPI every month."

The UK is set to become the country with the biggest higher education footprint in India with the confirmation of nine new British university campuses during Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit. Starmer announced the University of Lancaster and University of Surrey as the latest to get approval to open new campuses after the University of Southampton campus opened in Gurugram recently. The University of York, University of Aberdeen, University of Bristol, University of Liverpool, Queen's University Belfast and the University of Coventry are next in line to set up Indian campuses starting next year.

PM Narendra Modi while addressing the media at the CEO forum said that he is confident to double the trade between India-UK before 2030 from USD 56 billion currently before the set deadline. 

He also said that India-UK FTA will boost MSMEs, create employment for youth and that nine UK universities are looking to open campuses in India.

India and the UK are "natural partners" and their growing ties stand as an important pillar of global stability and economic progress at a time the world is witnessing uncertainty, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. In his media statement, PM Modi said the historic India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement inked in July will reduce import costs between the two countries, create new employment opportunities, boost trade, and benefit industries and consumers on both sides. "India and the UK are natural partners. Our relationship is built on the shared values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law," he said.

Britain signed a 350 million pound ($468 million) contract to supply the Indian army with UK-manufactured lightweight missiles, as part of a deepening weapons and defence partnership between the two countries. The announcement came as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was visiting Indian Prime counterpart Narendra Modi in Mumbai, where the pair hailed the potential of the commercial links from their months-old trade deal. 

UK PM Keir Starmer said, "We sit together in commonwealth, G20 and we want to see Indian taking its rightful place in the UN Security Council."

PM Modi said, "The dynamism of India and the expertise of the UK together create a unique synergy. Our partnership is trustworthy, driven by talent and technology."

PM Modi said, "The largest and most influential delegation from the education sector so far has come with Prime Minister Starmer. It is a matter of great joy that now nine universities from the UK are going to open campuses in India. The Gurugram campus of Southampton University was recently inaugurated, and the first group of students has also taken admission."

"India-UK partnership becoming crucial foundation for global stability, economic progress," says PM Modi at CEO Summit in Mumbai.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the CEO Summit in Mumbai, said that India and UK are natural partners as both countries share a common belief system. He further said that India and UK partnership brings stability in an unstable world.

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal met United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer and discussed ways to deepen trade and economic cooperation between the two nations. Sharing details of the meeting on X, Goyal wrote, "Delighted to call on UK Prime Minister @KeirStarmer. Discussed avenues to further deepen India-UK trade & economic partnership for mutual prosperity." 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held wide-ranging talks with his British counterpart Keir Starmer broadly focusing on boosting the India-UK ties in areas of trade, defence and security and critical technology.

The British leader, accompanied by a delegation of 125 of the UK's most prominent business leaders, entrepreneurs and educationists, landed in Mumbai on Wednesday morning on a two-day visit.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi will celebrate their countries' deepening commercial ties on Thursday with an announcement of further Indian investment into the UK and a meeting between the two.

Starmer's office said he would use the second and final day of a trip to India to discuss a recently-sealed trade deal as well as a technology security initiative launched in July last year. It also said that 64 Indian companies would collectively invest 1.3 billion pounds ($1.75 billion) in Britain, announced during a visit of the UK's largest ever trade mission to India, with more than 100 companies and organisations travelling with the prime minister.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday visited Yash Raj Films (YRF) Studios in Andheri, announcing that major Indian production houses, including YRF, will shoot films across UK locations. Accompanied by a UK film delegation from the British Film Institute, Pinewood Studios, and others, Starmer met producers including YRF CEO Akshaye Widhwani, Rani Mukerji, Dinesh Vijan, Ritesh Sidhwani, and Apoorva Mehta.

“Bollywood is back in Britain, and it is bringing jobs, investment and opportunity, all while showcasing the UK as a world-class destination for global filmmaking. This is exactly the kind of partnership our trade deal with India is destined to unlock – driving growth, strengthening cultural ties and delivering for communities across the country,” Starmer said.

Widhwani added, “The UK holds a very special place in our hearts… We were honoured to host the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at YRF today to ink this pact… and also had the pleasure to discuss how India and the UK could come together to push the content landscape globally.” YRF plans major productions in the UK from early 2026. (PTI)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday took part in a football showcase event organised by the English Premier League in Mumbai, highlighting sports diplomacy between the UK and India.

Starmer, who arrived from London earlier in the day, visited the Cooperage football ground in south Mumbai amid tight security. The event aimed to deepen bilateral ties through football and encourage youth participation in the sport.

Former England international Michael Owen also attended, joining local footballers and young enthusiasts at the event.

In a post on X, during his India visit, British PM Keir Starmer said that "growth in India for British businesses means more jobs for people at home."

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday view a screening during a visit to Yash Raj Films, along with actress Rani Mukerji and Yash Raj Films CEO Akshaye Widhani in Mumbai.

In a unique gesture, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed passengers aboard British Airways Flight 9100 to Mumbai via an in-flight announcement from the cockpit.

“This is the Prime Minister in the cockpit. A very warm welcome to BA flight 9100 to Mumbai. It’s really fantastic to have you all onboard,” Starmer said cheerfully over the intercom as he greeted passengers on board the Mumbai-bound flight.

“This is the biggest trade mission to India that the UK has ever sent, so I am much looking forward to working with you as we explore all of the opportunities and take full advantage of the opportunities in our new free trade agreement,” he said.

Watch the video HERE

In a post on X, Modi said, "Welcome Prime Minister Keir Starmer on your historic first visit to India with the largest ever trade delegation from the UK. Looking forward to our meeting tomorrow for advancing our shared vision of a stronger, mutually prosperous future." 

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer begins a two-day visit to India on Wednesday with the Scotch whisky industry in the spotlight as a “big winner” of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which the UK government expects will grow the Scottish economy by 190 million pounds a year. Downing Street said Scotch Whisky Association members and producers are part of Starmer's trade mission to explore first-hand a potential increase in whisky sales to India worth an estimated 1 billion pounds a year, creating more than 1,000 new UK jobs. According to officials here, Starmer's first Indian visit as UK PM will include key meetings with senior Indian government ministers and businesses to deepen bilateral trade and diplomatic relationships that will benefit all parts of the United Kingdom. (PTI)

During their meeting, Modi and Starmer will take stock of the progress in diverse aspects of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in line with the Vision 2035' roadmap of initiatives in trade and investment, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate and energy, health, education and people to people relations. Both the leaders will engage with businesses and industry leaders on opportunities presented by the India UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement as a central pillar of the future India UK economic partnership. They will exchange views on issues of regional and global importance. Both the leaders will also engage with industry experts, policymakers and innovators. (PTI)

Modi and Starmer will meet in Mumbai on Thursday as part of the process to strengthen the India UK strategic partnership. They will attend the CEO Forum and the 6th edition of the Global Fintech Fest in the city.

During their meeting, Modi and Starmer will take stock of the progress in diverse aspects of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in line with the Vision 2035' roadmap of initiatives in trade and investment, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate and energy, health, education and people to people relations.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday for his first official visit to India. Upon arrival at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, he was recieved by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat. This is Prime Minister Starmer's first official visit to India.