New Delhi (TDI): British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in India on Wednesday for his first official visit since taking office, just months after the two countries signed a historic free trade agreement in July.
Starmer is leading a 125-member delegation, including leading business figures such as British Airways CEO Sean Doyle, aimed at deepening economic and investment partnerships between the UK and India.
The two-day visit includes meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a joint address at a fintech conference in Mumbai.
Starmer hailed India’s economic rise, saying, “With India set to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2028, the opportunities ahead are unparalleled.”
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Under the new trade pact, India will cut tariffs on British whisky, cosmetics, and medical devices, while Britain will reduce duties on Indian exports of clothing, footwear, and seafood products. The deal is expected to significantly boost the $54.8 billion bilateral trade between the two nations, which already supports over 600,000 jobs.
However, Starmer ruled out any visa expansion for Indian professionals, clarifying that immigration was not part of the agreement. He emphasized that the UK was focused on implementing the deal rather than renegotiating visa terms.
Starmer’s stance comes amid growing domestic pressure on immigration in Britain, where his Labour Party faces competition from right-wing parties.
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Human rights groups have urged the British premier to raise the case of Scottish Sikh blogger Jagtar Singh Johal, detained in India since 2017 without conviction, during his talks with Modi.
The visit marks a major step in resetting post-Brexit UK-India relations, with both sides emphasizing a “forward-looking partnership” built on trade, technology, and
