British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday landed in Mumbai with a 125-member delegation of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and university representatives. The visit comes two and a half months after India and the United Kingdom signed a landmark free trade pact expected to double bilateral trade by 2030.Hours before departing for Mumbai, Starmer was asked whether his visit would also lead to expanded access to UK visas for Indians. The British prime minister struck a measured tone, saying that the focus of his trip was trade, investment, and economic cooperation. The visit also carries a strong cultural and sporting focus — Starmer toured Yash Raj Films studios to encourage film collaborations and attended a Premier League football showcase aimed at deepening sports diplomacy.Welcoming Starmer, Modi wrote on X, “Welcome Prime Minister Keir Starmer on your historic first visit to India with the largest ever trade delegation from the UK. Looking forward to advancing our shared vision of a stronger, mutually prosperous future.”

Source: The Times October 08, 2025 12:28 UTC