UK PM Starmer Commends PM Modi’s Vision For India’s Economic Rise

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership and vision to make India the world’s third-largest economy by 2028.

“Your vision of Viksit Bharat is to make India a fully developed country by 2047. Everything I have seen during my visit proves that you are on track to succeed. We want to be partners on that journey,” Starmer said, emphasising India’s trajectory towards long-term economic growth.

Starmer highlighted India’s role on the global stage, noting, “We sit together in the Commonwealth and G20, and we want to see India taking its rightful place in the UN Security Council.”

He added that the India-UK trade partnership is among the most ambitious trade deals India has ever pursued.

“I want to thank Prime Minister Modi for this partnership. This is a huge win for both nations,” he said, underscoring the productive discussions held between Indian and British business leaders over the past two days.

CETA and Future Collaboration

Referring to the recently signed UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Starmer described it as a breakthrough moment in bilateral cooperation.

“We are building a modern partnership focused on the future and availing new opportunities together,” he remarked.

He added that beyond the agreement itself, the confidence and shared spirit between the two countries define the essence of their partnership.

Starmer also emphasised the strategic and diplomatic dimensions of the India-UK relationship.

“In this era of global uncertainty, our partnership serves as an important pillar of stability and economic progress,” he said, citing discussions on peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and West Asia, as well as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

“India supports all efforts to restore peace through dialogue and diplomacy,” Starmer added, highlighting shared commitments to global stability.

The UK Prime Minister also recalled hosting PM Modi in the United Kingdom in July and expressed his delight at returning to India, noting the significance of the meeting in Mumbai, the country’s financial and economic hub.

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