India-UK Partnership Accelerates With Modi-Starmer Meet In Mumbai: CETA, Trade, Defence, Tech And Education Initiatives Take Centre Stage

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (9 October) welcomed UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on his first official visit to India.

The leaders conducted a joint press conference at Raj Bhawan in Mumbai, where Starmer had arrived the previous day, to discuss trade and business alongside 125 of the UK’s leading industry figures.

Central to the visit is the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) signed between the two countries in July, described by Starmer as “a breakthrough moment - years in the making, slashing tariffs, increasing access to each other’s markets to drive growth and create jobs for our people and making life in both our nations.”

Modi noted, “With this Agreement, the import cost between the two countries will come down, new employment opportunities will be created for the youth, trade will increase, and both our industries and consumers will benefit.”

Starmer added, “India is a global player...We want to see India taking its rightful place in the UNSC.”

The leaders also addressed the India–UK CEO Forum and the Global FinTech Festival 2025, building on the largest-ever business delegation accompanying Starmer.

These platforms are expected to foster enhanced investment, joint ventures, and technological collaboration across sectors such as finance, AI, and critical emerging technologies.

In technology and innovation, the two nations have advanced the India–UK Technology Security Initiative, establishing joint AI research centres and connectivity hubs to bridge young innovators.

A Climate Technology Startup Fund and the India–UK Offshore Wind Taskforce were also launched to support sustainable energy and climate-focused entrepreneurship.

Education and skill development were another key focus. Nine UK university campuses are now operational or under development in India, including the recently inaugurated Southampton University Gurugram campus.

These initiatives aim to expand higher education access and facilitate knowledge exchange in technology and research.

Defence and security cooperation has also deepened, with agreements on defence co-production and joint military training. Indian Air Force instructors will now serve as trainers with the UK’s Royal Air Force, strengthening operational collaboration.

Modi underlined that shared values of democracy, freedom, and rule of law underpin these partnerships. “India’s dynamism and UK’s expertise create a unique synergy, talent and technology-driven, building a bright future for the people of both nations,” he said.

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