Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the United Kingdom on Wednesday, marking the first stop in his two-nation diplomatic tour aimed at enhancing India’s global economic engagement. The visit, though brief, carries significant weight as India and the UK look to accelerate progress on their proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and deepen bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.
PM Modi touched down in London for a two-day official visit, during which he is scheduled to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The agenda is expected to revolve around advancing trade and investment, with a particular focus on spurring economic growth and employment opportunities in both countries. Expressing optimism, PM Modi wrote on social media platform X, “Landed in London. This visit will go a long way in advancing the economic partnership between our nations. The focus will be on furthering prosperity, growth and boosting job creation for our people. A strong India-UK friendship is essential for global progress.”
Landed in London.
This visit will go a long way in advancing the economic partnership between our nations. The focus will be on furthering prosperity, growth and boosting job creation for our people.
A strong India-UK friendship is essential for global progress. pic.twitter.com/HWoXAE9dyp
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2025
This visit marks Modi’s fourth official trip to the UK since assuming office, following earlier visits in 2015, 2018, and 2021, the latter for the COP26 summit in Glasgow. Upon his arrival, he was warmly received by members of the Indian diaspora in London. Acknowledging their enthusiastic reception, he noted, “Touched by the warm welcome from the Indian community in the UK. Their affection and passion towards India’s progress is truly heartening.”
Ahead of his departure from India, the Prime Minister underlined the growing strength of India-UK relations, which operate under a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) established in 2021. “Our collaboration spans a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, technology, innovation, defence, education, research, sustainability, health, and people-to-people ties,” he said in a statement.
Since the CSP was formalised, both nations have maintained a steady cadence of high-level diplomatic engagement. Key areas of focus include the ongoing negotiations for the India-UK FTA, aimed at reducing or eliminating tariffs on traded goods. If successfully concluded, the agreement is projected to propel bilateral trade to USD 120 billion by 2030.
Touched by the warm welcome from the Indian community in the UK. Their affection and passion towards India’s progress is truly heartening. pic.twitter.com/YRdLcNTWSS
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2025
Modi reiterated the strategic value of his meeting with Prime Minister Starmer, stating, “During my meeting with Prime Minister Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer, we will have the opportunity to further enhance our economic partnership, aimed at fostering prosperity, growth and jobs creation in both countries. I also look forward to calling on His Majesty King Charles III during the visit.”
The high-level discussions coincide with the first anniversary of the Technology and Security Initiative (TSI), a bilateral framework launched to bolster technology cooperation. Additionally, negotiations for a new investment treaty and the recently announced defence industrial cooperation framework signal further deepening of strategic ties.
Following his engagements in London, PM Modi will head to the Maldives for the second leg of his diplomatic outreach. His visit to Male, scheduled for Thursday evening to attend the island nation’s 60th anniversary of independence from Britain and six decades of diplomatic relations with India.
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