On 8 October, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer touched down in Mumbai for his first formal visit to India. The UK government calls this its largest ever trade mission to India, and Starmer is accompanied by a delegation of 125 CEOs, entrepreneurs, university leaders, and cultural representatives.

This two-day visit is designed to deepen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and to push forward the newly signed India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which both nations describe as historic in its scope and promise.

A Landmark Trade Agreement Opens Doors

Earlier in July 2025, the India-UK FTA was formally signed in London before Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer. The UK government calls it “the best any country has ever secured with India”. Under this agreement, India’s average tariff on UK products will drop from 15 per cent to 3 per cent.

This agreement is expected to drive British exports to India to grow by about 60 per cent, while bilateral trade could increase by £25.5 billion annually. The UK is projected to gain £4.8 billion in GDP per year, see £2.2 billion in wage increases, and support the creation of jobs across the nation.

One of the sectors set to benefit strongly is whisky. Tariffs on UK whisky have been halved, falling from 150 per cent to 75 per cent immediately, with a further reduction to 40 per cent over the next decade. This change gives UK whisky a competitive edge in the Indian market.

India’s Vision 2035 & Economic Strategy

Ahead of the visit, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that both Prime Ministers would meet on 9 October in Mumbai to review progress under “Vision 2035,” a ten-year plan to deepen cooperation across trade, technology, defence, climate, health, education, and people-to-people links. A central topic will be the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which is expected to become a foundational element of future India-UK collaboration.

The MEA’s statement highlights that the visit underscores the joint resolve to “foster collaboration across critical sectors and reinforce their strategic ties.”

Understanding India-UK Vision 2035

The India-UK Vision 2035 is an ambitious framework that was formally launched when Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer met in London on 24 July 2025. This vision represents a renewed commitment by both countries to push their relationship into a future of shared growth, prosperity, and global relevance.

At its heart, the vision builds upon the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UK. It lays out clear goals for cooperation across trade, technology, defence, education, climate action, and people-to-people exchanges. Over time, the aim is to evolve this relationship into a resilient, sustainable partnership that favors innovation and global influence.

To keep the vision alive and evolving, annual reviews will be held by India’s External Affairs Minister and the UK’s Foreign Secretary. Each domain—trade, technology, finance, and investment—will be managed by ministerial mechanisms to ensure flexibility, responsiveness, and forward momentum.

The roadmap rests on five core pillars: growth & jobs, technology & innovation, defence & security, climate & clean energy, and education. These pillars are interlinked, and progress in one area reinforces gains in the others. Whether through reducing trade barriers, creating jobs, promoting green energy, or strengthening defence ties, the vision aims for sustained, deep engagement.

Importantly, Vision 2035 is not just about economics. It reflects a shared purpose: to uphold the rules-based international order, reform global institutions, and cultivate what is being called a BRISK partnership—based on Business, Research, Innovation, Science, and Knowledge. In this view, a stronger India-UK alliance can help build a more prosperous, secure, and sustainable world.

“A Launchpad for Growth” — UK Government Speaks Up

In an official statement, Starmer declared:

“We signed a major trade deal with India in July, the best secured by any country, but the story does not stop there. It is not just a piece of paper, it is a launchpad for growth.”

With India projected to become the third-largest economy by 2028, he said, British businesses now have “unparalleled opportunities” to expand and create jobs at home. Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle echoed Starmer’s confidence, calling the FTA “a massive win that puts British businesses at the front of the queue” for Indian market access.

Business Delegation of 125 – Catalysing Investment and Cooperation

The trade mission accompanying Starmer is notable for its strength and diversity. It includes leaders from top British firms such as Rolls-Royce, British Airways, Diageo, British Telecom, London Stock Exchange, and many others. Alongside them travel representatives from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the UK.

One of the major announcements during the visit involves British Airways: “British Airways has already committed to starting a third daily flight between Delhi and London Heathrow by 2026.” In addition, Manchester Airport has confirmed a new direct route to Delhi via India’s leading airline IndiGo. These aviation enhancements are expected to generate £75 million in trade and tourism income and create 450 new jobs in northern England.

Beyond commerce and travel, the delegation has a strong cultural and academic dimension. Top university heads, along with figures from the British Film Institute and the National Theatre, have joined. Their mission: to explore new collaborations in higher education, digital culture, film, and creative industries.

Deepening Tech & Security Ties

On 9 October, Prime Ministers Starmer and Modi are scheduled to meet, and a key agenda item is the expansion of the UK-India Technology Security Initiative, first signed in 2024. Their talks will centre on AI, telecom, and defence technology—areas that blend commercial prospects with national security.

By 2030, India’s technology sector is forecast to reach a valuation of £1 trillion, making it a focal point in the shared vision of innovation-driven growth for India and the UK.

According to the UK government, the Technology Security Initiative fosters close collaboration in telecom security and opens pathways for investment in cutting-edge technologies. Reports suggest that the TSI concentrates on seven sectors, including semiconductors, AI, and advanced materials. The MEA notes that a joint UK-India research programme in Future Telecoms was launched in 2024, supported by UKRI and Indian science agencies.

In more recent developments, the initiative’s anniversary statement speaks of establishing an India-UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre to lead work in AI-driven telecoms, non-terrestrial networks, and secure 5G/6G systems.

A Trade Pact That Transforms Global Partnerships

The India-UK FTA is being hailed as a modern model of bilateral trade agreements. It aims to strike a balance between bold ambition and practical goals. In earlier agreements, progress was often held back by regulatory hurdles and political caution. This new deal, however, signals a shift: two nations willing to act decisively to build a durable economic partnership.

With sharply reduced tariffs and expanded market access, businesses from both sides gain leverage in critical sectors. For India, this agreement comes at a pivotal moment—when the nation is scaling its role as a global manufacturing and digital hub. The FTA aligns neatly with India’s goal of Viksit Bharat 2047, and strengthens its engagement with key global economies. What is particularly striking is the speed: both countries wrapped up negotiations in mere months, reflecting a diplomatic intent to move beyond symbolism toward outcomes—jobs, innovation, and shared prosperity.

A Joint Vision for Tomorrow

The July trade pact, coupled with Starmer’s India visit, signals renewed energy in India-UK relations. The nations have set a target of USD 120 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. The focus of Starmer’s trip is not ceremonial—he aims to solidify a strategic partnership combining economic ambitions with mutual respect and global responsibility.

As both leaders prepare to meet in Mumbai, their task will be to translate the promise of India-UK Vision 2035 into concrete results—prosperity, innovation, and security for their peoples.