PM Modi Meets UK PM Keir Starmer In Mumbai; Focus On Strengthening India–UK Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed his British counterpart, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, at Raj Bhavan on Thursday, as both leaders held discussions aimed at strengthening the India–UK strategic partnership.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) released photographs of the meeting, highlighting the cordial exchanges between the two leaders.

Taking to X, Randhir Jaiswal, the MEA spokesperson, posted, “Together for stronger India-UK ties. PM @narendramodi welcomes PM @Keir_Starmer of UK at Raj Bhawan, Mumbai.”

Earlier, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said his meeting with the visiting UK Prime Minister helped further consolidate trade and economic ties between the two nations.

Starmer, who arrived in India on Wednesday for a two-day visit, is accompanied by the largest-ever British trade delegation to India, underscoring London’s push to expand commercial engagement with New Delhi.

“Delighted to call on UK Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer. Discussed avenues to further deepen India-UK trade & economic partnership for mutual prosperity,” Goyal posted on X.

Before his meeting with Starmer, Goyal also met Peter Kyle, the UK’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, to discuss the next steps toward operationalising the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and achieving the shared goal of doubling bilateral trade by 2030.

According to the Commerce Ministry, “The meeting marked a significant step towards operationalising the India-UK CETA, with both Ministers agreeing to reposition the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) to oversee its implementation and delivery.”

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the timely, coordinated, and result-oriented execution of the trade pact. The agreement is designed to unlock opportunities for businesses and consumers in both nations.

They also reiterated their shared objective of doubling trade volumes by 2030 by capitalising on complementarities in sectors such as:

• Advanced manufacturing,
• Digital trade,
• Clean energy, and
• Services

Highlighting the transformative potential of CETA, discussions centred on enhancing regulatory cooperation, removing non-tariff barriers, and strengthening supply chain integration.

The talks were preceded by detailed deliberations at the Commerce Secretary and Director General levels. These discussions provided momentum for a day of constructive and forward-looking ministerial engagements. They also set the tone for a new chapter in India–UK economic relations.

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