London [UK], July 24 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on Thursday, ahead of the anticipated signing of a landmark UK-India free trade agreement expected to significantly enhance economic ties between the two countries.
The bilateral meeting was held at the historic Hawtry Room, where the two leaders engaged in a one-on-one discussion to finalize the details of what is being described as India’s most comprehensive trade pact and the UK’s most significant post-Brexit deal.
Just hours before the meeting, Prime Minister Starmer described the agreement as a “Plan for Change in action.” In a post on X, Starmer wrote, “A landmark deal with India means jobs, investment, and growth here in the UK. It creates thousands of British jobs, unlocks new opportunities for businesses, and puts money in the pockets of working people.”
According to a statement released earlier by the British High Commission, the UK-India trade agreement is expected to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion annually. The deal aims to create thousands of jobs, reduce tariffs, and increase market access for businesses in both countries.
During Prime Minister Modi’s visit, the two leaders are also expected to unveil the UK-India Vision 2035—a renewed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that outlines a broader roadmap for collaboration in key areas including defense, technology, climate, education, and national security.
“This landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britain. It will create thousands of British jobs across the UK, unlock new opportunities for businesses, and drive growth in every corner of the country,” Starmer said in the statement. He emphasized that the agreement was part of his broader “Plan for Change,” aimed at improving living standards and easing the cost of living for British families.
India is currently the UK’s 12th-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade totaling over £36 billion. The proposed agreement seeks to reduce average tariffs on British goods such as cars, medical devices, cosmetics, and soft drinks from 15 percent to 3 percent, offering Indian consumers access to more affordable imported products.
Conversely, the pact will ease market entry for Indian exporters, potentially increasing the UK’s current imports of £11 billion worth of Indian goods.
UK Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds hailed India as “an emerging economic superpower of the 21st century,” adding that the deal signals a new phase in bilateral relations.
The agreement also builds on the UK-India Technology Security Initiative signed last year. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to leveraging frontier technologies and deepening cooperation on national security and border protection.
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