Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the evolving partnership between India and the United Kingdom was anchored in “trustworthiness, talent, and technology”, following his meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Mumbai.
Modi said that India’s dynamism and Britain’s expertise had created a “unique synergy” driving both nations towards shared prosperity and stability. “India’s dynamism and the UK’s expertise combine to create a unique synergy. Our partnership is trustworthy, talent- and technology-driven,” he said while addressing a joint press conference alongside Starmer.
The two leaders held high-level talks covering trade, defence cooperation, education, and global security. Modi noted that the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), signed during his visit to London in July, had already begun reshaping the contours of bilateral trade and economic engagement.
“Under the leadership of PM Starmer, India and UK relations have seen significant progress. In July this, during my visit to UK, we signed the historic Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA),” Modi said.
Highlighting the benefits of the pact, the Prime Minister said it would lower import costs, boost industrial activity, and generate employment opportunities for youth. “With this Agreement (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement), the import cost between the two countries will come down, new employment opportunities will be generated for the youth, trade will increase and this will benefit our industries and consumers,” he said.
Modi added that Starmer’s visit, accompanied by what he described as “the biggest business delegation ever”, reflected the renewed energy in India-UK relations.
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In a significant announcement, Modi said nine British universities would establish campuses in India, including Southampton University, which has already inaugurated its Gurugram campus with the first batch of students enrolled.
“India and UK are natural partners. Mutual trust in values like democracy, freedom and rule of law lies in the foundation of our relations,” he remarked, underlining shared democratic principles. Modi emphasised that the partnership between the two nations was emerging as an “important base for global stability and economic progress” amid a turbulent international climate.
The leaders also discussed regional and global security issues, including the Indo-Pacific, the conflict in Ukraine, and tensions in West Asia. “In the meeting today, we discussed Indo-Pacific, peace and stability in West Asia and Ukraine conflict. On the issues of Ukraine conflict and Gaza, India supports all efforts for peace through dialogue and diplomacy. In Indo-Pacific region, we are committed to increasing maritime security,” Modi stated.
Beyond trade and education, the two countries signed a pact to strengthen defence cooperation through joint military training. “We have signed an agreement on cooperation in military training. Under this agreement, Indian Air Force Flying Instructors will serve as trainers in the UK’s Royal Air Force,” Modi said.
He further announced plans to establish an Industry Guild and a Supply Chain Observatory to enhance collaboration in the field of critical minerals. The observatory will have a satellite campus at the Indian School of Mines in Dhanbad, Jharkhand.
Earlier in the day, Modi and Starmer held a delegation-level meeting in Mumbai. Starmer, who has been on a multi-day visit to India, held extensive interactions with business leaders, calling the trade partnership between the two nations “really important”.
“This is the biggest trade mission that the United Kingdom has ever sent to India,” Starmer said, describing his trip as the “return leg” of Modi’s earlier visit to London this year.
