Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday described the India-UK partnership as being driven by “trustworthiness, talent, and technology” following high-level talks with his British counterpart, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in Mumbai.
‘India’s dynamism and UK’s expertise create a unique synergy’
PM Modi emphasised that “India’s dynamism and the UK’s expertise combine to create a unique synergy. Our partnership is trustworthy, talent- and technology-driven,” while addressing a joint press conference with Starmer. The Prime Minister noted that under Starmer’s leadership, relations between the two countries have witnessed significant progress.
He also recalled the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) signed during his visit to London in July this year. “Under the leadership of PM Starmer, India and UK relations have seen significant progress. In July this, during my visit to UK, we signed the historic Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA),” PM Modi said, ANI reported.
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See PM Modi’s post on X here:
The path-breaking India-UK CETA will create new job opportunities for youth, expand trade and benefit both our industries as well as consumers. In this context, PM Starmer and I discussed trade linkages and economic ties between our nations in the times to come. @Keir_Starmer pic.twitter.com/zs5obf7Hh7
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 9, 2025
Trade, youth employment and education in focus
The prime minister highlighted the benefits of the CETA deal, saying, “With this Agreement, (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement), the import cost between the two countries will come down, new employment opportunities will be generated for the youth, trade will increase and this will benefit our industries and consumers.
“Your visit to India within just a few months of signing the Agreement, with the biggest business delegation ever accompanying you, is a symbol of the new vigour in India-UK partnership,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi also announced that nine UK universities will open campuses in India, noting that the Gurugram campus of Southampton University has already begun operations with the first students enrolled.
Defence and strategic cooperation
Highlighting defence collaboration, PM Modi said: “We have signed an agreement on cooperation in military training. Under this agreement, Indian Air Force Flying Instructors will serve as trainers in the UK’s Royal Air Force.”
He further mentioned plans to set up an Industry Guild and Supply Chain Observatory to collaborate on critical minerals, with a satellite campus at the Indian School of Mines in Dhanbad, Jharkhand.
During their Mumbai meetings, PM Modi and PM Starmer discussed regional and global issues, including the Indo-Pacific, peace and stability in West Asia, and the Ukraine conflict. “On the issues of Ukraine conflict and Gaza, India supports all efforts for peace through dialogue and diplomacy. In Indo-Pacific region, we are committed to increasing maritime security,” Modi said.
Earlier, Starmer met with business leaders and described the India-UK trade partnership as “really important”, noting that his visit marks the “return leg” after PM Modi’s trip to the UK earlier this year.
