Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday began a diplomatic visit starting with a two-day trip to the United Kingdom. The main highlight of the visit is the expected signing of the long-awaited India - UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which has been in the works for years. The deal is being seen as a major step towards strengthening ties between the two countries.
During his tour, PM Modi will meet King Charles III and have extensive discussions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which is scheduled for July 23–24. Starmer is expected to host Modi at Chequers, the British Prime Minister’s official countryside residence near London.
The signing of the FTA, which has been under negotiation for three years, is likely to take place in the presence of Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his UK counterpart Jonathan Reynolds, alongside the two Prime Ministers. The deal is being hailed by the UK as its most significant trade achievement since Brexit, aimed at revitalising bilateral cooperation in trade, defence, research, and technology.
According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, final preparations are underway to conclude the deal, which will benefit nearly 99% of India’s exports by removing tariffs and improving market access. The agreement will also ease the export of products like British whisky and automobiles to the Indian market.
In 2023–24, India–UK bilateral trade surpassed USD 55 billion. With USD 36 billion invested so far, the UK is India's sixth-largest investor. Nearly 1,000 Indian companies operate in the UK, collectively employing around 100,000 people, while Indian investment in Britain stands at close to USD 20 billion.
Strengthening defence and education ties
Defence collaboration is also a key pillar of the agenda. India and the UK have intensified joint military exchanges and are exploring co-development of electric propulsion systems for naval platforms. Military cooperation now includes regular joint exercises and mutual deployment of military instructors to each other’s defence academies.
According to India's new National Education Policy (NEP), the University of Southampton is the first foreign university to open a campus in Gurugram. Other UK universities are anticipated to follow suit.
According to reports, UK authorities have stepped up security in case pro-Khalistan organisations cause any disruptions during PM Modi's visit. India's concerns have been communicated to security agencies, particularly in view of the March 2025 incident in London where a pro-Khalistan demonstrator broke through the security perimeter surrounding External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Special protocols are in place to ensure such incidents are not repeated.
Also Read: PM Modi hails Operation Sindoor ahead of monsoon session
Modi to attend Maldives Independence Day as guest of honour
Prime Minister Modi has been invited to the Maldives as the Guest of Honour for the island nation's Independence Day celebrations, and he will visit the country from July 25 to 26 after the UK portion of the tour.
In order to reaffirm New Delhi's ongoing commitment to regional cooperation, he will inaugurate a number of development projects aided by India and engage in bilateral discussions with President Mohamed Muizzu during the visit. Foreign Secretary Misri emphasised the symbolic importance of the visit by stating, "This is the first state visit hosted by President Muizzu since taking office in November 2023."
India views the Maldives as an important partner in keeping with its "Neighbourhood First" policy and the broader MAHASAGAR — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — strategic vision. Another key diplomatic objective of the visit is to restore relations between the two countries, which have been strained since President Muizzu took office in late 2023 and was perceived as pro-China.
Also Read: PM Modi reacts to Dhankhar resignation with good health wishes
Follow us
