UK PM Keir Starmer Lands in India for First Official Visit, Focus on Trade

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in India for a two-day visit, marking his first trip to the country since taking office. On Wednesday morning, he was welcomed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, along with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.

Downing Street described the visit as a “two-day business mission to Mumbai”, emphasizing efforts to strengthen trade relations and boost strategic cooperation between India and the UK. The visit comes just months after PM Narendra Modi’s trip to the UK in July 2025, during which both countries finalized long-discussed trade agreements.

Amid rising US tariffs, Starmer’s visit is considered highly significant. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the leaders will review progress on the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership under the Vision 2035 roadmap, covering trade and investment, innovation, defense, climate, health, education, and people-to-people ties.

Starmer is accompanied by a delegation of top UK industry CEOs, senior officials, and representatives from leading universities and institutions, along with UK Trade Secretary Peter Kyle and Investment Minister Jason Stockwood. The two leaders are expected to discuss opportunities under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and exchange views on regional and global matters.

Both leaders may also participate in the 6th edition of the Global FinTech Festival in Mumbai, engaging with policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators. The Ministry of External Affairs noted that this visit will further the progress made during PM Modi’s UK trip and reaffirm the shared vision of a long-term, forward-looking India-UK partnership.