• Source:JND
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Keir Starmer India visit: United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, will make his first official visit to India on October 8-9 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Saturday. The two-day visit is expected to strengthen India-UK relations across trade, technology, defence, and strategic domains.

During the visit, PM Modi and Starmer are set to review progress under the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through the Vision 2035 roadmap. This decade-long plan encompasses trade and investment, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate and energy, health, education, and people-to-people ties. “The visit will build on the momentum of Prime Minister Modi’s July visit to the UK and provide a valuable opportunity to reaffirm the shared vision of India and the United Kingdom for a forward-looking partnership,” the MEA statement said.

What's On The Agenda?

On October 9, both leaders will attend the 6th edition of the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai. They are scheduled to deliver keynote addresses and interact with innovators, policymakers, and business leaders. Starmer’s visit comes after the signing of the landmark India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) in July 2025 during Modi’s visit to the UK. The agreement provides duty-free access for nearly 99 per cent of Indian exports to the UK and removes tariffs on 90 per cent of UK goods. It is expected to double bilateral trade, currently around USD 56 billion, by 2030.

Key Focus Areas During the Visit:

• Review of India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership under Vision 2035
• Strengthening bilateral trade and economic ties through CETA
• Engagement with business and industry leaders at Global Fintech Fest 2025
• Promotion of technology, innovation, and digital collaboration
• Defence cooperation and implementation of the Defence Industrial Roadmap
• Climate action, renewable energy, and sustainable development initiatives
• Education, health, and people-to-people exchanges
• Counter-terrorism cooperation and addressing pro-Khalistan activities in the UK
• Discussion on global trade policies and regional security

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The visit will also review the Defence Industrial Roadmap agreed during PM Modi’s UK trip. Both nations are committed to co-developing and co-producing key defence products, strengthening strategic and military collaboration. Starmer and Modi are expected to discuss defence, technology, and security cooperation in light of regional challenges and global security concerns.

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Keir Starmer’s official visit is being closely watched as a major step to consolidate India-UK ties, boost trade and investment, and strengthen strategic collaboration. It is expected to further the implementation of Vision 2035 while enhancing economic, technological, and people-to-people relations between the two nations.