UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Begins Major Trade Mission to India

Hyderabad , India — A pivotal chapter in UK-India relations opened on Tuesday as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Mumbai, spearheading a historic two-day trade mission. This landmark visit, aimed at aggressively deepening economic and cultural ties, marks the first major push following the ratification of the UK–India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in July—a deal both nations hail as the most comprehensive agreement India has ever clinched with a Western power.

The FTA's Momentum: Unlocking a $25.5 Billion Surge

The fanfare of the visit is underpinned by the new FTA, a robust framework projected to inject an annual £25.5 billion boost into bilateral trade. The agreement is designed to slash tariffs and significantly broaden market access for British goods and services in the rapidly expanding Indian economy. UK exports to India are anticipated to soar by nearly 60 percent in the coming years.

Prime Minister Starmer underscored the massive potential just before his meetings: “We signed a major trade deal with India in July – the best secured by any country – but the story doesn’t stop there. With India set to be the third biggest economy in the world by 2028, the opportunities waiting to be seized are unparalleled.”

A Toast to Reduced Tariffs 

One of the FTA's most immediate and potent victories is for the UK’s distillers. The average Indian tariff on UK products will plummet from 15 percent to 3 percent. Notably, tariffs on Scotch whisky, a flagship British export, will be immediately halved from a steep 150 percent to 75 percent, with a scheduled further reduction to 40 percent over the next decade. This preferential treatment is set to give British distillers a decisive edge in India's booming premium spirits market.

The Delegation: A Powerhouse of UK Excellence

Starmer's entourage is unprecedented: a high-powered delegation of 125 business leaders, entrepreneurs, university vice-chancellors, and cultural representatives. This is the largest ever UK government trade mission to India, signaling the seriousness of Britain's strategic commitment.

The roster of delegates reads like a roll call of UK industrial might, featuring giants such as Rolls Royce, British Airways, BT, the London Stock Exchange, Diageo, and Barclays, alongside a vital contingent of small and medium enterprises. Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle, who accompanied Starmer, affirmed the UK is "hitting the ground running," adding that the FTA will make trade "quicker, cheaper and easier for companies of all sizes" and that there is “no limit on our ambition” to grow trade.

Connecting Continents: Air Links and Cultural Exchange 

The strategic alignment is already translating into tangible benefits for connectivity.

• British Airways is set to add a third daily flight between Delhi and London Heathrow starting in 2026.

• Manchester Airport is poised to become the only UK airport outside of London with direct connections to both Delhi and Mumbai, launching a new Delhi route operated by IndiGo.

This aviation expansion alone is projected to generate over £50 million in exports, £25 million in tourism income, and support approximately 450 new jobs.

Meanwhile, the mission's scope extends beyond commerce to the crucial spheres of education and culture. Fourteen UK university vice-chancellors are seeking to address the monumental demand for higher education in India, where an estimated 70 million new seats will be required by 2035. Esteemed cultural institutions, including the British Film Institute, the National Theatre, and the Royal Shakespeare Company, are exploring deep new collaborations in film, art, and digital culture.

A Strategic Future: Technology and Defence 

The visit builds on the momentum generated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to London in July, which saw the nations announce nearly £6 billion in new investments and export agreements.

Starmer's itinerary culminates in a meeting with Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi. Discussions are expected to focus on further cooperation in the vanguard sectors of technology, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, and defence under the UK–India Technology Security Initiative.

With India currently the world’s fifth-largest economy and on track to secure the third spot by 2028, it remains the crux of the UK’s global trade strategy. Both sides are radiating optimism, believing these latest engagements will definitively pave the way for a deeper and more dynamic partnership forged on mutual growth, innovation, and trust.