Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in London for a high-level diplomatic visit, with the formal signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) being the centrepiece of his agenda. The visit marks a major milestone in the ongoing efforts to deepen bilateral ties between the two countries across key sectors including trade, defence, education, health, and climate.
Upon his arrival, PM Modi was warmly welcomed at the airport by Catherine West, UK’s Foreign Office Minister for the Indo-Pacific, along with Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami and British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron. His arrival was also met with enthusiasm from the Indian community in the UK, with several diaspora members expressing their excitement and admiration.
Addressing the broader purpose of the visit, PM Modi tweeted that the discussions would focus on fostering prosperity and job creation. “A strong India-UK friendship is essential for global progress,” a part of his tweet read.
One of the most significant developments during this visit is the formal signing of the much-anticipated Free Trade Agreement between India and the United Kingdom. The agreement, which was finalised on May 6, will be signed by India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his UK counterpart Jonathan Reynolds. The FTA is expected to deliver mutual economic benefits, offering new opportunities for businesses and consumers in both countries.
For India, the deal is poised to bring major advantages in terms of tariff reductions, with 99% of Indian exports likely to receive tariff concessions. This will particularly benefit sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, and technology services. On the other hand, British companies will find it easier to export products like whisky, automobiles, and machinery to the Indian market.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed strong support for the agreement ahead of his scheduled meeting with PM Modi. “Our landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britain,” he said, underlining the significance of the partnership for the UK’s post-Brexit trade strategy.
PM Modi is also set to be hosted by Starmer at Chequers, the official country residence of the British Prime Minister, located about 50 kilometres northwest of London. The two leaders are expected to engage in wide-ranging discussions, including a review of progress under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) signed between the two nations in 2021.
Beyond trade, the two sides will explore collaboration in various fields such as defence technology, sustainable development, healthcare, and education. The strategic nature of the partnership is seen as pivotal in addressing global challenges and strengthening multilateral cooperation.
During his stay in London, PM Modi also took time to interact with members of the Indian community, who had gathered to greet him. The diaspora expressed pride and joy at meeting the Prime Minister. Gehna Gautam, an enthusiastic member of the Indian community, described the encounter as “a surreal moment,” while another member named Bhavya shared, “The Prime Minister shook my hand and gave me ‘Ashirwad’. It was the best feeling ever.”
Members of the Dawoodi Bohra community also expressed happiness at the visit. One member noted the Prime Minister’s long-standing relationship with the community, stating, “We are proud of the bond our community shares with him, and as British citizens, we warmly welcome him to the UK.”
The visit will also include a meeting with King Charles III before PM Modi departs for the Maldives, where he will begin the next leg of his international engagements on July 25-26.
The signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement marks a significant step in elevating bilateral ties to new heights, with both nations looking to deepen their economic and strategic cooperation in an increasingly interconnected global landscape.
