Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s first official visit to India, less than three months after the historic India UK Comprehensive Trade and Economic Agreement (CETA) was signed during PM Modi’s visit to the UK, is a defining moment in the India–UK partnership. Leading the largest-ever British trade, education and cultural delegation to the subcontinent, the Prime Minister’s two-day visit to Mumbai was a rapid first step in transforming the newly-announced India–UK “Vision 2035” document into concrete collaboration across trade, education, defence, technology, and clean energy.
In a sign of the importance India attached to this visit, it was the first time the Indian Prime Minister has travelled to another city to host an entire summit for a visiting Head of Government outside the national capital.
The visit saw business deals worth over £1.3 billion, expected to create more than 10,000 jobs in the UK and spur new capital flows. UK businesses also announced new plans for expanding their presence in the Indian market, including in global capability centres, and in increased offtake of components for industrial goods. To strengthen the framework for greater trade in goods and services and increased two-way investment flows, the two Governments have re-constitued the India–UK CEOs Forum and set new Terms of Reference for the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), co-chaired by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and the Indian Commerce and Industry Minister. The new JETCO will work to prepare businesses, sectorally and regionally, to be ready to take full advantage of the CETA as soon as it is ratified by the UK Parliament.
Additionally, a new joint Climate Technology Startup Fund will back entrepreneurs working in AI and green innovation. The leaders also addressed the sixth edition of the Global Fintech Fest. Other outcomes included a decision to establish an India–UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre and a Joint Centre for AI. The two sides have also agreed to launch Phase II of the Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory, a satellite campus at IIT-ISM Dhanbad, and a new Critical Minerals Industry Guild to strengthen supply resilience and sustainable growth.
Education formed another key pillar with nine UK universities cleared to establish campuses in India; of these the University of Southampton has already opened its campus and is welcoming its first cohort of students at its Gurugram campus near Delhi. New campuses by Lancaster in Bengaluru and Surrey in Gujarat’s GIFT City are expected soon. These ventures will expand academic exchange and access to world-class learning.
Defence cooperation is also deepening, through joint exercises, training, and co-development of advanced systems, including electric propulsion for naval platforms and lightweight missile systems, as well as in defence education, with Indian qualified flying instructors being deputed to the RAF to assist in providing training to young fighter pilots. The joint exercise (Ex-KONKAN) between the Indian Navy and the UK’s Carrier Strike Group featured an aircraft carrier each, and interoperability training including cross-deck landings. The timing of this exercise, along with the Prime Ministerial summit, was testament to our growing defence and maritime cooperation.
This visit showcased the breadth and ambition of our partnership. By aligning strengths in innovation, sustainability, and security, India and the UK are shaping a modern, resilient, and truly global relationship—one that looks firmly to a brighter future.
