
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday to advance a landmark trade agreement signed with India in July, aiming to strengthen economic ties between the world’s fifth- and sixth-largest economies.
Leading a delegation of over 100 business, cultural, and academic leaders, Starmer emphasized rapid implementation of the deal to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
The two-day visit underscores efforts to enhance bilateral trade, projected to grow by 25.5 billion pounds ($34 billion) by 2040, amid global tariff challenges.
The U.K.-India free trade agreement, finalized after three years of negotiations, reduces tariffs on goods like whisky, textiles, and cars, while expanding market access for businesses.
Starmer described the deal as a “launchpad for growth,” noting its potential to boost the U.K.’s GDP by 4.8 billion pounds ($6.4 billion) annually and increase exports to India by nearly 60 percent.
The agreement, signed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the U.K. in July, is seen as Britain’s most significant post-Brexit trade pact.
Starmer urged his team to implement it “as quickly as humanly possible” to seize opportunities.
Starmer’s delegation, including executives from BP, Rolls-Royce, and British Airways, aims to maximize the deal’s potential.
The visit also highlighted cultural exchanges, with Starmer announcing that three Bollywood films will be produced in the U.K. starting next year, bringing jobs and investment.
Additionally, he visited an English Premier League community program in Mumbai, engaging with young Indian footballers to promote cultural ties.
Starmer will meet Modi on Thursday to discuss ratification, expected within the next year, as both leaders aim to bolster trade worth $54.8 billion, supporting over 600,000 jobs across the two nations.