Watch | ‘This is the Prime Minister in the cockpit’: Starmer greets passengers aboard Mumbai-bound flight as he kickstarts India visit

“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.

Starmer hopes to build on India-UK trade deal

The British PM arrived in Mumbai Wednesday on a trade mission to boost ties with India, one of the most important economic partners of the United Kingdom.

A delegation of 125 of the UK’s most prominent CEOs, leading entrepreneurs, university vice chancellors and members from cultural institutions is accompanying Starmer. This will make it the largest ever UK government trade mission to India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will hold bilateral talks with Starmer on Thursday, wrote in a post on X, “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.”

Starmer 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,” he said.

“That’s why I’ll be flying the flag for British business alongside 125 of our biggest household names in Mumbai this week – because growth in India for them means more choice, stability and jobs at home for the British people,” the British PM said.

Following the signature of the landmark UK-India trade deal in July, which will lower tariffs on British goods being imported into India, “the door is now open for British businesses to turbocharge their trade with one of the fastest growing economies in the world,” a statement by the British High Commission said.

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