Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London for crucial talks ahead of the anticipated signing of a landmark UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), billed as a milestone in post-Brexit economic diplomacy.
The bilateral engagement, held at the historic Hawtry Room, marked the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since Starmer took office. Officials on both sides described the discussion as pivotal, with the FTA expected to boost annual bilateral trade by £25.5 billion and lay the foundation for a renewed strategic partnership.
Starmer, posting on X ahead of the meeting, described the India deal as part of his "Plan for Change", stating: "A landmark deal with India means jobs, investment and growth here in the UK. It creates thousands of British jobs, unlocks new opportunities for businesses and puts money in the pockets of working people."
The UK-India trade agreement, years in the making, is expected to reduce tariffs, open new markets, and enhance investment flows in key sectors including technology, healthcare, automobiles, and education. British exports such as cars, soft drinks, cosmetics, and medical devices will see tariff reductions from 15 per cent to as low as 3 per cent, providing Indian consumers with broader access and lower prices.
On the Indian side, the agreement aims to increase exports to the UK, which currently stand at £11 billion, by easing market entry and harmonising regulations.
Also read: Landmark trade deal with India is major win for Britain: Starmer
As part of the broader framework, both leaders are set to unveil UK-India Vision 2035 — a renewed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership outlining deeper cooperation across defence, climate, innovation, border security, education, and national security.
"This landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britain. It will create thousands of British jobs across the UK, unlock new opportunities for businesses, and drive growth in every corner of the country," said Starmer in an official statement released following the bilateral meeting.
He reiterated that the trade pact aligns with his domestic economic agenda, saying: "It is part of my Plan for Change to put more money into the pockets of British citizens and help families with the cost of living."
India is currently the UK’s 12th largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding £36 billion. The agreement, once formalised, would represent the UK's most ambitious deal since leaving the European Union and India’s most comprehensive trade arrangement to date.
British Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds hailed the development, calling India “an emerging economic superpower of the 21st century,” and added that the agreement marked the beginning of “a new phase in bilateral relations.”
The proposed deal also builds upon the UK-India Technology Security Initiative signed last year, with both nations reaffirming their commitment to frontier technologies, cybersecurity, and defence innovation.
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