Kier Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is on an official visit to India on October 8 and 9. The core agenda of the visit is to strengthen the India-UK strategic partnership in a comprehensive and full-fledged way for the domestic and bilateral prosperity in an era of unpredictable geopolitical upheavals, economic hustles and energy conundrums.
Accordingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer, during the joint press briefing, post the India-UK summit, resolved to bolster the bilateral relations to greater heights. The agreed areas of cooperation encompass trade, technology, innovation, defence and security, green energy, climate cooperation, education and people-to-people ties, ultimately realizing the goal of mutual economic and developmental prosperity.
🇮🇳-🇬🇧| Reinforcing our shared commitment to a strong & enduring partnership for the benefit of our two peoples.
PM @narendramodi and PM @Keir_Starmer of UK held extensive talks in Mumbai today.
Both sides reviewed the 🇮🇳-🇬🇧 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and identified new… pic.twitter.com/pIFSxEEGOV
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) October 9, 2025
Fostering business-to-business partnership
During the CEO Forum in Mumbai on the sidelines of the India-UK summit both leaders agreed for the ratification of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement(CETA) as early as possible to realize its full potential. Both Prime Ministers also welcomed the revamping of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee(JETCO) that will in turn facilitate for the furnishing of the CETA credentials that will aid larger trade and investment.
PM Starmer was accompanied with a large business delegation, who explored bilateral opportunities for investment in both the countries in the domain of infrastructure, clean energy, manufacturing, defence, education, financial and professional business services etc.
Ensuring technology and innovation partnership
Both leaders also agreed to harness the potential of critical and emerging technologies to realize the goal of inclusive economic growth. Accordingly, India-UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre will be established, a joint hub focused on developing the native AI network and strengthening the cyber security paradigm. The initial investment will be 24 million pounds. India-UK Joint Centre for AI will be launched to foster AI cooperation in the domain of health, finance, climate, education etc. Thus, a step to ensure responsible and inclusive AI ecosystem.
Leaders also agreed to the launch of the India-UK Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory, to seek self-reliance in the critical minerals, in an era of increasing geopolitical contestations for the same. Additionally, Critical Minerals Industry Guild will also be harnessed to secure resilient supply chains and promote green technologies.
PM Modi and PM Starmer also jointly attended the Global Fintech Fest 2025 in Mumbai. The leaders urged for digital innovative solutions to foster global welfare. They advocated for digital empowerment and digital inclusivity with futuristic digital technologies. Prime Minister Modi also hailed the need for democratizing digital technology as a symbol of good governance. PM Modi also stressed the need for ethical, secure and transparent AI and digital ecosystem.
Glad to have taken part in the Global Fintech Fest 2025 in Mumbai with PM Keir Starmer. Platforms like this highlight our nation’s resolve to strengthen this sector and build new momentum for global welfare.@Keir_Starmer pic.twitter.com/3SjilFkWtw
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 9, 2025
Echoing for solid education ecosystem
The landmark outcome of the India-UK summit was championing a solid education exchange programme and working for people-to-people ties. In this direction, Letter of Intent for the opening of the Campus of Lancaster University in Bengaluru was handed-over. Also, approval was given for the opening of the Surrey University campus in the GIFT city, Gujarat.
The University of Southampton welcomed its inaugural cohort of Indian students to its campus in Gurugram. The University Grants Commission also handed over Letters of Intent for establishment of branch campuses of University of Liverpool, University of York, University of Aberdeen and University of Bristol in India. Further, Queens University of Belfast and Coventry University have been authorized to open their branch campuses in GIFT City.
https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1976250826709754261
Developing defence and security partnership
During the summit, both countries agreed for accelerating the joint exercises, training and capacity building programme for the Armed Forces. Both sides committed to ensure maritime security collaboration in the Indo-Pacific, including the establishment of the Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (RMSCE) under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). Both leaders also announced to proceed via government-to-government route on an initial supply of the Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) systems. This will further support India’s air defence capabilities and helps to realize the vision of self-reliance in the defence sector.
PM Modi and PM Starmer also strongly condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations. They called for zero tolerance for terrorism and concerted international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive manner. Most importantly, British Prime Minister voiced in condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack. They committed to strengthen co-operation to take decisive and concerted actions against globally proscribed terrorists, terror entities and their sponsors.
Climate and energy cooperation
India and UK also agreed to work towards the goal of achieving net-zero emissions. This collaborative approach includes, ‘India-UK Climate Finance Initiative’ to scale up climate finance, unleash the prospects of green growth etc. New joint investment in the Climate Tech Start-up Fund was announced. This green initiative, under the MoU between the UK Government and State Bank of India, will enhance support for innovative entrepreneurs working in frontier sectors such as climate technology and AI.
Agreement was also singed to establish Offshore Wind Taskforce to explore opportunities in the green and clean energy sector.
Multilateralism and UNSC reforms
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer also strongly advocated for multilateralism and rule-based international order. UK even supported for New Delhi’s permanent membership in UNSC. The leaders also voiced for peace and prosperity in Ukraine that is entangled in a war with Russia since a prolonged three years.
They also advocated for peace and stability in West Asia and expressed support for the latest Gaza peace plan initiated by the United States. Leaders urged for release of hostages and timely delivery of humanitarian assistance.
The India-UK summit thus forged a consolidated pathway to script and accelerate solid India-UK partnership in a comprehensive manner for the benifit of both the democracies, especially in an era of rising geopolitical uncertainties and economic hustles.
