UK PM Keir Starmer meets Indian PM Narendra Modi in Mumbai

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai on Thursday during his first visit to the country, as both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening trade, education, and cultural ties.

Starmer is leading the largest-ever British delegation to India, comprising over 100 CEOs, entrepreneurs, university vice-chancellors, and cultural leaders, as part of a two-day trade mission to India’s financial capital.

Modi described the visit as “historic,” noting that it comes just months after the two countries signed a landmark trade deal in July aimed at boosting economic cooperation.

Expansion of British Universities in India

On Thursday, Starmer announced that more UK universities would open campuses in India, a move the British government said would add £50 million to the UK economy.

Confirming approvals for new campuses by the University of Lancaster and the University of Surrey, he said,

The announcement marks a significant expansion of the UK’s higher education footprint in India.

The University of York, the University of Aberdeen, and Queen’s University Belfast are also expected to open campuses from as early as next year, under a growing framework of academic cooperation between the two countries.

Starmer received a warm welcome in Mumbai, with streets along the leaders’ travel route lined with thousands of posters and photographs celebrating the visit.

Digital identity and policy discussions

During his first day in India, Starmer met Nandan Nilekani, the founder of India’s digital ID system Aadhaar, to discuss digital governance and technology cooperation.

The meeting followed the UK government’s plans to introduce a digital ID system to verify individuals’ right to work in the country.

The proposal has sparked significant debate in Britain, with more than 2.8 million people signing a petition opposing the policy.

However, Downing Street has maintained that the initiative will help curb illegal employment and strengthen border enforcement.

Trade and investment gains

The U.K. government said the India-U.K. trade deal, though yet to be fully implemented, has already generated £1 billion in investment and created nearly 7,000 jobs in the UK.

Under the agreement, India’s average tariff on UK products will drop from 15% to 3%, while Britain will reduce taxes on Indian exports such as textiles, footwear, jewellery, and seafood.

In return, India will lower import duties on Scotch whisky, cosmetics, medical devices, and luxury cars.

The deal is expected to boost the UK’s GDP by £4.8 billion annually and increase bilateral trade by £25.5 billion a year by 2040.

Last year, trade between the two nations totalled £42.6 billion and was already on an upward trajectory.

Starmer’s visit also takes place amid shifting global trade alignments and strained relations between India and the United States following President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 50% tariffs on Indian goods.

Negotiations on a US-India trade deal have yet to yield a breakthrough.

Before arriving in India, Starmer ruled out any relaxation of visa rules for Indian nationals but emphasised the scope for expanding trade and cultural engagement.

“There are massive opportunities for both countries to grow together,” he said.