UK PM Keir Starmer to Visit India on October 8; Trade, Defence, and Strategic Ties on Agenda

New Delhi, Oct 2025 : United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer will embark on a two-day official visit to India beginning October 8, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Saturday. This will mark Starmer’s first official visit to India since assuming office.

According to the MEA, the visit aims to take forward the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in line with Vision 2035, a ten-year roadmap of initiatives across key sectors including trade and investment, defence and security, technology and innovation, health, education, climate and energy, and people-to-people ties.

On October 9 in Mumbai, the two leaders will review progress on bilateral cooperation under this framework. They are also expected to hold discussions on pressing regional and global issues, reflecting the growing role of both nations on the world stage.

A significant focus of the visit will be the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), signed earlier this year, which has elevated bilateral economic ties. Both leaders will meet business and industry leaders to explore opportunities under the pact, which is viewed as a central pillar of the future economic relationship.

During the visit, Modi and Starmer will also attend the 6th edition of the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, where they will deliver keynote addresses and interact with industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators.

“The visit will build on the momentum generated by Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the UK in July 2025 and will reaffirm the shared vision of both countries to develop a forward-looking partnership,” the MEA said in a statement.

The July 2025 meeting at Chequers, the UK Prime Minister’s country residence, had already set a strong foundation. At that time, both leaders welcomed the signing of the historic CETA, which has significantly boosted bilateral trade, investment, and job creation. Alongside the trade pact, the two sides agreed to a Double Contribution Convention, designed to benefit professionals and the services sector by reducing business costs and enhancing competitiveness.

Defence cooperation has also emerged as a cornerstone of the partnership. The two leaders had endorsed a Defence Industrial Roadmap aimed at collaboration in co-design, co-development, and co-production of defence products, not only to meet domestic needs but also to serve global markets. The increasing military-to-military engagements between the two nations were noted with satisfaction, reflecting their growing defence and security partnership.

Financial sector cooperation is another area gaining momentum. Modi had previously underlined the potential for closer ties between India’s GIFT City, the country’s first international financial services hub, and the UK’s financial ecosystem, aiming to strengthen capital markets and service industry collaboration.

With Starmer’s upcoming visit, both governments are expected to give fresh impetus to their strategic, economic, and defence cooperation, while also deepening collaboration in emerging fields such as fintech, innovation, and green energy. The visit underscores the commitment of India and the UK to a modern, resilient, and future-oriented partnership that not only strengthens bilateral relations but also contributes to global stability and growth.