Outlook Business Desk
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Mumbai today at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, where he was received by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and Governor Acharya Devvrat, kicking off his two-day official visit.
Starmer’s trip to India is his first official visit and comes at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Over the next two days, he will hold high-level meetings with Modi and engage in discussions on trade, investment, and strategic collaboration between the two nations.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit builds on the momentum from Modi’s visit to the UK in July 2025. It offers an opportunity to reaffirm the shared vision of India and the UK for a future-oriented partnership across multiple sectors.
Starmer’s visit takes place during a period of global trade uncertainty, shaped in part by policies of the US President Donald Trump administration in the US. This context highlights the need to reinforce India-UK economic and strategic ties, ensuring stability and growth for both nations.
On day one of his visit, Keir Starmer will engage in key activities in Mumbai. His schedule includes a visit to Yash Raj Films studios to foster film industry collaboration and attending an English Premier League football showcase at Cooperage Ground with former England football player Michael Owen.
On the second day, Prime Ministers Modi and Starmer will assess progress in the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership under Vision 2035. The discussions will span trade, defence, technology, health, climate, and education, aiming to strengthen long-term collaboration across vital sectors.
Starmer is travelling with a delegation of more than 100 CEOs, university leaders, and cultural representatives. The group aims to enhance collaboration in business, technology, and investment, interacting with policymakers, industry specialists, and innovators to boost India-UK bilateral ties.
Both the leaders will also explore opportunities under the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), a key foundation of their future economic partnership. The discussions will focus on enhancing bilateral trade, investment, and collaboration across technology, finance, and industrial sectors.
Meanwhile, UK Department for Business and Trade data shows India-UK trade in goods and services reached £44.1 billion in the year to March 2025, up 10.1%. With CETA, tariffs on over 90% of UK goods will be removed, targeting a doubling of trade by 2030, post-ratification.