October 8, 2025 : British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Mumbai today, leading one of the largest ever UK government trade missions to India. The two-day visit is intended to deepen bilateral trade, investment, and strategic ties in the wake of a recently signed free trade agreement between the United Kingdom and India.
Starmer’s delegation includes around 125 members comprising business leaders from major British companies, university vice-chancellors, senior officials, and cultural representatives. Key figures from sectors such as finance, industry, technology, and aviation are in attendance. Among those accompanying him are the UK’s Trade Minister, Investment Minister, and executives from well-known firms and financial institutions. The scale and composition of the delegation reflects the UK’s ambition to convert diplomatic agreements into concrete business outcomes.
India and the UK signed their Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) in July 2025 following several years of negotiation. The deal is viewed as a landmark in bilateral relations, reducing tariffs on many goods and opening up new opportunities for mutual trade. With Starmer’s arrival, both sides aim to move beyond commitments on paper toward implementation, seeking to ensure investments flow and sectors identified in the trade deal begin benefiting as soon as possible.
Upon alighting in Mumbai, Starmer was received by senior political leaders, including Maharashtra’s Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers, reflecting the importance India places on the visit. Starmer, speaking at the airport, described India as a land of “unparalleled opportunities,” and emphasized that the trade agreement will help make trade “quicker and cheaper” between the two nations. He expressed optimism that the new deal will enable UK businesses to expand in India, while creating jobs and growth back in Britain.
On the agenda for the visit are high-level discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, participation in the Global Fintech Fest, and meetings under the CEO Forum. Key topics include technology and innovation, trade in emerging technologies, finance, supply chains, infrastructure, and possibly defence and semiconductor sectors. Another major theme is the UK-India “Vision 2035” roadmap, which outlines long-term collaboration in areas beyond trade, such as climate, education, people-to-people exchanges, and critical technology security.
One sector in particular expected to benefit immediately from the trade agreement is alcoholic beverages. Starmer’s government has signalled that brands such as Scotch whisky could become more affordable in India due to reduced duties under the agreement. Other sectors likely to see gains include textiles, footwear, engineered goods, and financial services. UK trade bodies view these as areas where exports may increase substantially in the near term.
Despite the business focus, Starmer made it clear that changes to visa policies are not part of the deal. Though there has been pressure from business and academic sectors for more flexible movement of talent, Starmer stated that visa liberalization will not be addressed in this visit. The UK-India free trade agreement, he said, does not include visa reforms, and the government remains committed to its migration policy while pursuing business growth.
For India, the visit serves multiple purposes. Apart from attracting foreign investment and reinforcing growth in key industries, it signals a maturing of economic diplomacy. The Indian government sees this mission as an opportunity to deepen its export potential, attract British capital, and gain technology and know-how in sectors where UK expertise is globally respected. India’s rapid economic expansion, with many analysts projecting it to become the world’s third largest economy in the next few years, provides fertile ground for bilateral cooperation.
Observers say that if the agreements signed during Starmer’s visit are implemented effectively, the trade mission could help propel bilateral trade toward a target of USD 100 billion by 2030. Operationalizing the trade agreement, however, will require coordination on tariff reductions, regulatory harmonization, resolving non-tariff barriers, and ensuring businesses in both countries are aware of and able to take advantage of the new opportunities.
As part of the visit, cultural and academic exchanges are also expected to feature prominently. University representatives in the delegation aim to explore partnerships, joint research, exchange programmes, and expanding UK educational institutions’ presence in India. Additionally, the mission may include talks on infrastructure, transport connectivity, and investment in green growth and clean technologies.
In summary, Keir Starmer’s India visit with a large business delegation signals the UK’s intent to deepen economic ties and convert its recent trade agreement with India into tangible benefits. The success of the trip will depend on execution, regulatory work, and follow-through on both sides. All eyes are on the meetings with Indian leadership and the outcomes of the business forums and fintech events lined up.
Summary
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer lands in Mumbai with 125-member delegation to build on the recently signed UK-India trade agreement, targeting trade, investment, fintech and long-term strategic cooperation.