British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday with over 125 business and cultural leaders to implement the July Free Trade Agreement—FTA–.
He meets with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for discussions on trade, defense, and fintech, highlighting deepening economic ties, which UK PM declared will create thousands of new jobs across the country
“Our deal with India means: More investment in the UK. Thousands of new jobs across the country. More money for you and your family.” Stamer declared
He told business leaders during interaction at the Taj Mahal Palace that it’s the biggest deal that India has ever struck: “This is the biggest trade mission that the United Kingdom has ever sent to India…Obviously, this is a two-parter.
“We had Prime Minister Modi over to the United Kingdom earlier this year to sign the FTA that we agreed and today is the return leg of that.
“That FTA is really important for us, it’s the biggest deal we’ve struck since we left the EU (European Union). I think it’s the biggest deal that India has ever struck, so hugely important…”
This is Starmer’s first visit to India after both countries signed the landmark FTA in July during Modi’s London trip.
Tariffs have been slashed on 99% products including textiles, whisky, cars…widening market access
Bilateral trade between the two nations stood at £44.1 billion in the year ending March 31. The new pact is expected to boost trade by another £25.5 billion by 2040
Starmer said India’s projected rise to the world’s third-largest economy by 2028 presents “unparalleled opportunities waiting to be seized”
