UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer India Visit 2025

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer India Visit 2025

Why in News?

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to visit India on a two-day official trip beginning 8th October 2025, marking his first visit to the country as Prime Minister. The visit aims to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties.

Key Objectives of UK PM Starmer’s India Visit 2025

• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to India in October 2025 aims to consolidate the ongoing India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both leaders will review the progress made under this framework.
• A central focus of the visit is to explore opportunities under the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Leaders will engage directly with business and industry representatives to discuss potential investment avenues, joint ventures, and economic collaborations. 
• Prime Minister Starmer will participate in the 6th Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, delivering keynote addresses alongside Prime Minister Modi. This platform will showcase opportunities for startups, financial institutions, and technology-driven solutions that benefit both nations.

India-UK Bilateral Relationship

• Political Relations: India and the United Kingdom’s modern political relationship began with India’s independence and entry into the Commonwealth in 1947-1949, based on mutual respect and strategic cooperation. Both countries engage regularly through high-level visits, joint forums, and international platforms. These interactions focus on global issues, regional stability, and joint initiatives under the India-UK Strategic Partnership.

• Economic Ties: In 2024, the total trade between India and the United Kingdom reached £42.6 billion, marking a significant increase from previous years. The goods trade between India and the UK amounted to approximately £17.8 billion in 2024. This figure represents a 34% increase compared to pre-COVID levels in 2019. 

• People-to-People Ties: The Indian diaspora in the UK is one of the largest overseas communities, numbering approximately 2 million people. They contribute significantly to the UK’s economy, education, and public life. Similarly, British citizens living in India help build bridges in business, culture, and education. 

• Academic Cooperation: Education is a key pillar of the India-UK relationship. Both countries have active collaborations between universities, research institutions, and scholarship programs. The mutual recognition of academic qualifications and the “UK-India: Alive with Opportunity” campaign further strengthen educational and cultural exchanges.

• Technology Collaboration: India and the UK actively collaborate in technology and innovation. Initiatives focus on digital infrastructure, fintech, artificial intelligence, and clean energy. Forums like the Global Fintech Fest allow leaders, innovators, and policymakers to explore partnerships. 

• Security Cooperation: Both nations conduct joint exercises, training programs, and intelligence sharing. A contract between Thales UK and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) will deliver Laser Beam Riding MANPADs (LBRMs) to India. In October 2025, the two navies held the mega-wargame Exercise Konkan. 

• Investment Flows: The United Kingdom stands as the 6th largest inward investor in India, with a cumulative equity investment of US $35 billion as of September 2024. Conversely, India’s outward investment to the UK reached US $19 billion by March 2024. There are 971 Indian companies operating in the UK, employing over 100,000 people.

Significance of the UK for India

• Market Opportunities: Post-Brexit, the UK has become an important market for Indian exports. The CETA aims to remove tariffs on 99% of Indian products and target $120 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. Duty-free access makes Indian products more competitive and creates jobs in labor-intensive industries like textiles, leather goods, marine products, toys, and gems and jewelry. 

• Digital Trade: India’s IT and IT-enabled services (ITES) sector gains from expanded access to the UK market. Professionals can work more easily in the UK under streamlined processes. The UK is a major source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in India. Platforms like the Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) and Financial Markets Dialogue (FMD) strengthen cooperation in financial regulations. 

• Strategic Importance: The UK aligns with India on regional and global security priorities. Both nations cooperate in maritime security, defense technology sharing, and counter-terrorism operations. The partnership also supports India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. The UK’s “Indo-Pacific tilt” aligns with India’s interests in the region.

• Living Bridge: The UK hosts one of the world’s largest Indian diaspora communities, often called the “living bridge.” Schemes like the Migration and Mobility Partnership (MMP) and Young Professional Scheme allow smoother movement of workers and students. The Double Contribution Convention (DCC) provides additional financial benefits for Indian professionals on short-term assignments in the UK.

Future Roadmap and Collaborations between India and UK

• India and the UK are focusing on the Vision 2035 roadmap, a 10-year plan to strengthen their partnership across key sectors. The roadmap sets clear targets in trade, technology, defence, climate, and education. Leaders aim to review progress annually and introduce new initiatives to meet these goals. The plan ensures both countries align strategies for long-term sustainable growth.
• The future collaboration will emphasize expanding bilateral trade and investment. Under the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), both nations plan to increase trade volumes in sectors like fintech, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, and IT services. Joint investment projects will support economic growth and create employment opportunities. 
• India and the UK will focus on digital solutions, artificial intelligence, and research collaborations. Future programs will promote knowledge sharing between both countries under the bilateral India-UK Technology Security Initiative (TSI).
• The two nations are collaborating on next-generation telecommunication technologies, including 6G standards and Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN). The C-DOT in India and the UK’s SONIC Labs signed a Memorandum of Understanding in February 2025 for this.
• Both governments are working to mobilize new investments in green enterprises, climate mitigation, renewable energy, particularly offshore wind and green hydrogen and tech startups through initiatives like the UK-India Development Capital Investment Partnership. 
• A Statement of Intent was signed to design and develop an Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) system for the Indian Navy’s next-generation Landing Platform Dock (LPD) fleet, with delivery aimed for 2030. 
• Under the Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI), a Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (RMSCE) is being established to build capacity in addressing non-traditional maritime threats.