Why in news?

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit India for two days — his first official trip since taking office in July 2024. He will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attend the Global Fintech Summit in Mumbai.

The visit is reciprocal, following Modi’s trip to the UK in July when the two nations signed the India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The pact, which enjoys bipartisan support in the UK, reflects the strength and stability of India–UK relations.

Starmer and Modi have agreed to work toward the early completion of a mutually beneficial trade agreement, continuing the negotiations initiated under Boris Johnson in 2022.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• India–UK: Reliable Partners in an Uncertain World
• India–UK ‘Living Bridge’ Strengthens Bilateral Partnership
• Economic Cooperation: Expanding Trade and Job Opportunities
• Defence Cooperation: Strengthening Strategic Collaboration
• Education: Building Knowledge and Talent Bridges
• Research and Innovation: Advancing Science and Sustainability Together
• Culture: Strengthening Creative and Cultural Collaboration
• Connectivity: Expanding Links Between India and the UK

India–UK: Reliable Partners in an Uncertain World

• Amid global instability fuelled by US President Donald Trump’s disruptive policies, India and the UK have emerged as reliable, predictable partners.
• Experts note that the FTA is only the foundation of a much deeper partnership.
• Despite facing political challenges at home, Prime Minister Keir Starmer continues to play an active global role — notably by rallying European and democratic allies, including Australia, Canada, and Japan, to form a Coalition of the Willing after Ukraine’s tense meeting with Trump.
• This reinforces the UK’s leadership in global diplomacy.

India–UK ‘Living Bridge’ Strengthens Bilateral Partnership

• The Indian diaspora, making up 2.6% of the UK’s population, plays a vital role in academia, business, politics, and innovation, owning over 65,000 UK-based companies that drive jobs and economic growth.
• This dynamic community serves as a “living bridge” connecting the two nations.
• The India-UK relationship was recently elevated to a new level through two major diplomatic milestones.
• In May 2025, the two Prime Ministers announced the conclusion of the India-UK FTA (Free Trade Agreement) and the Double Contribution Convention, a pact aimed at simplifying social security contributions for professionals.
• This momentum was solidified in July 2025 during PM Modi's visit to the UK with the formal signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the long-term strategic blueprint Vision 2035 document, and a new Defence Industrial Roadmap.
• The Vision 2035 plan focuses on economic growth, education and skill development, technological innovation, and defence cooperation, charting a comprehensive path for the future of India–UK relations.

Economic Cooperation: Expanding Trade and Job Opportunities

• The India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) unites the world’s 5th and 6th largest economies, with bilateral trade in goods and services reaching USD 56 billion in 2024.
  • Trade is projected to double by 2030.
• The FTA gives Indian businesses better market access in key sectors like textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, etc. while over 650,000 people are employed by Indian and British companies in each other’s countries.
• The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) allows duty-free access to 99% of Indian exports, supporting MSMEs and job creation.
• It also promotes growth in IT, finance, education, and professional services, creating high-skill employment.
• Additionally, the Double Contribution Convention offers a three-year exemption from UK social security for Indian workers on temporary assignments, benefiting over 75,000 professionals and reducing costs for employers.

Defence Cooperation: Strengthening Strategic Collaboration

• India and the UK have launched a Defence Industrial Roadmap to promote co-design and co-production of defence equipment, addressing growing domestic needs and exploring global export opportunities.
• A major focus area is the development of jet engine technology.
• The partnership also spans joint military exercises, port calls, technological collaboration, exchange of defence experts, training, and defence education, deepening strategic and security cooperation between the two nations.

Education: Building Knowledge and Talent Bridges

• Education is a key pillar of India–UK relations, with around 170,000 Indian students currently studying in the UK.
• Several UK universities, including the University of Southampton, are establishing campuses in India, marking a milestone under the New Education Policy.
• A 2022 MoU on mutual recognition of academic qualifications ensures that UK degrees are officially recognised in India.
• Programmes like the Chevening Scholarships and the Young Professionals Scheme create study-to-work pathways, allowing 3,000 young professionals from each country to live and work in the other for up to two years.

Research and Innovation: Advancing Science and Sustainability Together

• India and the UK hold a Science and Innovation Council (SIC) meeting every two years to strengthen collaboration in research, technology, and innovation.
• The UK is India’s second-largest research partner, with a joint programme worth £300–400 million.
• A 2023 MoU expanded cooperation in quantum technology, clean energy, pandemic preparedness, and machine learning.
• The two nations are also setting up an India–UK Net Zero Innovation Virtual Centre to promote industrial decarbonisation and the use of green hydrogen as a renewable energy source, reinforcing their shared commitment to a sustainable future.

Culture: Strengthening Creative and Cultural Collaboration

• India and the UK have updated their Film Co-production Framework, enabling producers to access incentives in both markets and boosting jobs in film, VFX, and post-production while helping stories reach global audiences.
• A new Cultural Agreement promotes the growth of creative industries, supporting festivals, music labels, and artistic projects that create local employment for artists and technicians.

Connectivity: Expanding Links Between India and the UK

• India and the UK are deepening people-to-people connectivity through improved services and transport links.
• New Indian Consulates in Manchester and Belfast now provide passport, OCI, and consular support to Indian communities in Northern England and Northern Ireland, extending access beyond traditional centres like London and Birmingham.
• Air connectivity has also expanded. IndiGo will launch Delhi–Manchester services from November 15, and Air India continues robust operations connecting multiple Indian cities to London airports.