PM Narendra Modi Welcomes UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Landmark First Visit to India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a warm hello to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday, marking Starmer’s first sanctioned visit to India. The visit comes with a record-setting delegation from the UK, signaling a renewed drive to consolidate bilateral ties.
“Welcome, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, on your historic first visit to India with the largest ever trade delegation from the UK. Looking forward to our meeting tomorrow for advancing our shared vision of a stronger, mutually prosperous future,” Modi wrote on X.
Welcome Prime Minister Keir Starmer on your historic first visit to India with the largest ever trade delegation from the UK. Looking forward to our meeting tomorrow for advancing our shared vision of a stronger, mutually prosperous future. @Keir_Starmer pic.twitter.com/Sv29sZ6dzj
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 8, 2025
Starmer touched down at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport this morning, saluted by Maharashtra’s top leaders, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and Governor Acharya Devvrat.
The leaders are scheduled to meet in Mumbai on Thursday, focusing on strengthening the India-UK strategic cooperation.
Their engagements include attending the CEO Forum and the sixth edition of the Global Fintech Fest, events aimed at fostering collaboration between businesses and originators from both countries.
The conversations will cover the full diapason of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Crucial precedents include trade and investment, technology and invention, defence and security, climate and energy, health, education, and people-to-people connections.
Both Modi and Starmer will interact with business leaders to explore openings arising from the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement( CETA), a foundation of the nations’ profitable collaboration.
The docket also includes exchanges on indigenous and global issues, engaging policymakers, assiduity experts, and originators.
Accompanying Starmer are 125 of the UK’s top CEOs, entrepreneurs, university vice-chancellors, and representatives from artistic institutions, pressing the breadth of the UK’s engagement in India.
“We signed a major trade deal with India in July, the best secured by any country, but the story doesn’t stop there. It’s not just a piece of paper; it’s a launchpad for growth.
With India set to be the third biggest economy in the world by 2028, and trade with them about to become quicker and cheaper, the opportunities waiting to be seized are unparalleled,” Starmer said.
This high-profile visit marks a decisive moment in India-UK relations, emphasizing participatory intentions for growth, invention, and stronger, profitable, and artistic ties.