UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Leads Historic Trade Mission to India

Starmer Arrives in Mumbai for Two-Day Visit

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer commenced a two-day official visit to Mumbai, India, on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, leading the largest trade delegation in the United Kingdom's history to the country. The visit, concluding on Thursday, October 9, is focused on strengthening trade ties and capitalizing on the recently signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations.

Upon his arrival in Mumbai, Prime Minister Starmer was welcomed by senior Indian officials. He emphasized that the visit aims to unlock new opportunities, secure investments, and seal deals that will drive growth and create jobs for the British people.

Accelerating the Landmark Free Trade Agreement

A central pillar of the visit is the acceleration of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement, which was finalized in July 2025 after three years of negotiations. Prime Minister Starmer hailed the agreement as 'the best secured by any country' and 'the biggest deal we've struck since we left the European Union,' describing it as a 'launchpad for growth.'

The FTA is projected to significantly boost bilateral trade, with expectations to raise it by £25.5 billion per year and increase UK exports to India by nearly 60%. Key benefits include a reduction in India's average tariff on UK products from 15% to 3%, making it easier for British companies to sell goods such as soft drinks, cosmetics, cars, and medical devices. The whisky industry, in particular, stands to gain, with tariffs dropping from 150% to 75% immediately, and further to 40% over the next decade.

High-Level Engagements and Economic Collaborations

The delegation accompanying Prime Minister Starmer comprises 125 UK CEOs, entrepreneurs, university Vice Chancellors, and cultural leaders, underscoring the broad scope of the mission. During his visit, Starmer is scheduled to meet with his Indian counterpart, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Mumbai.

Their agenda includes reviewing progress under the 'Vision 2035' roadmap, a 10-year plan for the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, encompassing areas like trade, investment, technology, innovation, defence, security, climate, energy, health, education, and people-to-people relations.

Key events during the visit include:

• Participation in the 6th Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, where both Prime Ministers will deliver keynote addresses.
• Attendance at a CEO Forum at the Jio World Center, fostering business-to-business engagement.
• An announcement that nine UK universities are set to open campuses in India.
• A visit to a Bollywood production studio, where Starmer announced three new Bollywood blockbusters would be made in the UK from 2026, creating over 3,000 jobs.
• Discussions on the Technology Security Initiative and the potential for India's digital ID system to serve as a model for the UK.

Significant investment commitments were also highlighted, with Indian companies expected to invest £1.3 billion ($1.75 billion) in the UK, creating approximately 7,000 jobs. Furthermore, Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgic announced plans for India to become a 'home market' for the company, aiming to double sourcing from India by 2030. British Airways also confirmed plans to introduce a third daily flight between Delhi and London Heathrow in 2026.

Strengthening a Comprehensive Partnership

This visit is a reciprocal one, following Prime Minister Modi's trip to the UK in July, where the FTA was initially signed. The focus remains on deepening the economic and strategic ties between the two nations, with India projected to become the world's third-largest economy by 2028. Prime Minister Starmer reiterated his commitment to implementing the trade deal 'as soon as humanly possible' to maximize opportunities for both countries.