UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will make his first official visit to India on October 8–9, 2025, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced. During his visit, Starmer will join Modi in Mumbai for the 6th Global Fintech Fest. There, he will deliver keynote addresses and engage with innovators, industry leaders, and policymakers.

On October 9, both leaders will meet business and industry representatives to explore opportunities under the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and discuss important regional and global issues.

Focus on Strategic Partnership

The two-day visit will review progress under the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through the ‘Vision 2035’ roadmap. This 10-year plan covers 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 generated by Prime Minister Modi’s trip to the UK on July 23–24, 2025, and provide an opportunity to reaffirm the shared vision of India and the UK for a forward-looking partnership,” the MEA said.

Strengthening Trade, Technology, and Defence Ties

Starmer’s visit is expected to deepen cooperation between India and the UK in trade, technology, defence, and security, especially amid global uncertainties. The visit follows Modi’s UK trip, where both leaders signed a free trade agreement (FTA), pending ratification, and agreed on a defence industrial roadmap promoting co-development and co-production of key defence products.

During that UK visit, Modi also met King Charles III at the Sandringham Estate and presented a tree sapling under his “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” environmental initiative. Modi said on X, “We discussed different aspects of India-UK relations, including trade, investment, education, health, wellness, environmental protection, and sustainability.”