Rama Krishna Sangem
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has met Indian PM Narendra Modi on his first visit to the country. The two leaders met in India’s financial capital Mumbai, where the prime minister is on a two-day trade mission with the largest ever delegation of more than 100 CEOs, entrepreneurs, university vice-chancellors and cultural leaders.
The two sides are meeting to discuss ways to expand business and trade ties after India and UK signed landmark trade deal in July. Sir Keir will make a keynote address at a financial technology conference later on October 9 Thursday. The prime minister has been given a rousing welcome in India, with thousands of photos of him and Modi lining parts of Mumbai that the two leaders will travel through on Thursday.
Modi has called the visit a “historic” one. On his first day, Sir Keir met the founder of India’s digital ID system – Nandan Nilekani – in the wake of plans to introduce a digital ID for people working in the UK.
The government’s plan to introduce compulsory digital ID for people to prove their right to work in the UK has seen more than 2.8 million people signing a petition against the idea. But Downing Street is determined to press on, claiming it’ll curb the ability of migrants to work illegally.
Sir Keir also announced that three Bollywood films will be made in the UK by Yash Raj Films from 2026, ending an eight-year hiatus. The agenda for their one-on-one meeting will include reviewing progress across various sectors outlined in the Vision 2035 roadmap, with the key focus areas being trade and investment, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate and energy, health, education, and strengthening people-to-people connections between India and the UK.
Talks with business leaders
PM Modi and Starmer also discussed with business representatives and industry experts on the future of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The agreement is considered a central pillar of the evolving economic partnership between the two countries. The two leaders are also participating in the Global Fintech Fest, themed “Powered by AI, Augmented Intelligence, Innovation, and Inclusion”.
This event underscores the increasing emphasis both countries place on technological collaboration and financial innovation. Ahead of today’s discussions between the Prime Ministers, British Trade Minister Peter Kyle and Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met to discuss bilateral trade matters.
