UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday morning for his first official visit to India since taking office. The two-day trip, called a “trade mission” by British officials, focuses on boosting trade and strategic ties between the UK and India.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Mumbai with a delegation that included CEOs and senior executives from top British companies, as well as representatives from major universities and institutions. He is joined by the UK Minister for Trade and Business, Peter Kyle, and Investment Minister Jason Stockwood.
A warm welcome to PM @Keir_Starmer of the United Kingdom! Received by Governor of Maharashtra and Gujarat Mr. Acharya Devvrat @maha_governor at the airport. This is PM Starmer’s first visit to India. This visit marks a new chapter in our strong & dynamic India-UK partnership.… pic.twitter.com/KG0bcjlOvl — Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) October 8, 2025
This important visit comes just a few months after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the UK in July 2025, when both countries signed a long-awaited trade deal. It also happens at a time when both nations are reviewing their trade relationships with the United States under President Donald Trump.
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On Thursday, October 9, Prime Minister Starmer will meet PM Modi at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), they will discuss progress on the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership under the Vision 2035 roadmap, a ten-year plan covering trade and investment, innovation, defence, climate, health, education, and people-to-people ties.
The leaders will also meet business and industry leaders to talk about opportunities from the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), a key part of the future economic partnership. They will exchange views on regional and global issues, the MEA said.
Starmer and Modi are expected to attend and speak at the 6th Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, meeting policymakers, business leaders, and innovators from around the world.
The MEA said the visit will build on the momentum from PM Modi’s UK visit in July 2025 and offer a chance to strengthen the shared vision of India and the UK for a forward-looking partnership.
(With IANS Inputs)