UK PM Keir Starmer Arrives in Mumbai with Major Business Delegation

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday with a delegation of 100 British business leaders for a two-day visit to India, marking his first visit to the country as the UK Prime Minister. The visit underscores the growing strategic and economic ties between India and the United Kingdom, and highlights the focus on strengthening bilateral relations across trade, technology, and defence. Starmer’s agenda includes key meetings with senior Indian government officials, business leaders, and participation in global forums, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to boosting collaboration between the two nations.

On Thursday, Starmer is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These discussions are expected to focus on fintech, trade, and defence, three critical sectors shaping economic and strategic cooperation between India and the UK. Both leaders are also set to jointly address the Global Fintech Summit in Mumbai, highlighting the importance of digital finance and technology in bilateral engagements. Sources indicate that in addition to these sectors, the leaders are keen to explore further collaboration in connectivity, critical and emerging technologies, pharmaceuticals, and transport, reflecting the evolving priorities of both governments in fostering innovation and economic growth.

A central highlight of the visit is the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), finalized after three years of intensive negotiations. Starmer and Modi had finalized the deal in July 2025, with the agreement expected to bring substantial economic benefits to both countries. The FTA aims to enhance trade by reducing barriers, increasing wages, improving living standards, and making goods more affordable for consumers. Starmer has described the deal as providing “huge benefits to both of our countries,” emphasizing its role in fostering closer economic integration.

The visit also spotlights the Scotch whisky industry as a major beneficiary of the FTA. The UK government expects the agreement to boost the Scottish economy by approximately 190 million pounds annually. Members of the Scotch Whisky Association, including producers, are part of Starmer’s delegation to explore opportunities for increasing whisky exports to India, projected to reach around 1 billion pounds per year. This initiative is anticipated to create over 1,000 new jobs in the United Kingdom, highlighting the potential of sector-specific gains under the trade agreement.

Beyond economic matters, Starmer’s visit includes broader efforts to strengthen diplomatic and strategic relations. By engaging with Indian business leaders and government officials, the UK aims to deepen bilateral trade and foster cooperation that benefits multiple sectors, including technology, finance, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. The delegation’s presence signals a focus on practical, results-oriented partnerships, including investment opportunities and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

Starmer’s first visit as UK Prime Minister represents a strategic outreach to India, reflecting the increasing importance of India-UK ties in global economic and geopolitical contexts. The delegation’s participation in forums such as the Global Fintech Summit and sector-specific meetings underscores the dual focus on trade promotion and technological collaboration. The visit also demonstrates the UK’s intent to leverage the FTA to create tangible benefits for domestic industries, enhance bilateral trade volumes, and strengthen long-term diplomatic relationships.

Overall, the two-day visit is expected to solidify India-UK relations through high-level engagement, economic collaboration, and strategic dialogue. The visit emphasizes shared priorities in technology, trade, defence, and innovation while highlighting sector-specific opportunities such as Scotch whisky exports. Starmer’s interactions with Indian officials and business leaders aim to create a platform for sustained collaboration, economic growth, and mutually beneficial outcomes for both nations, reflecting the evolving partnership between India and the United Kingdom in the 21st century.