India-UK ties 'on the move': PM Modi takes car ride with UK counterpart Keir Starmer

The image, posted by PM Modi on X, was taken ahead of the two leaders’ participation in the Global Fintech Fest 2025 in Mumbai.

Starmer’s trip marks his first official visit to India since taking office in July 2024.

“India-UK relations are on the move, filled with great vigour,” Modi wrote, underscoring renewed momentum in bilateral engagement.

Starmer arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday, leading a high-powered UK trade mission of over 100 business, academic, and cultural representatives.

The British Prime Minister has called for the swift implementation of the recently signed India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), saying it should be completed “as soon as humanly possible.”

At the Global Fintech Fest, Starmer described the pact as “the most ambitious trade deal India has ever done.”

Negotiations for the free trade agreement began in January 2022, culminating in its signing in July 2025, after 14 rounds of talks spanning three years.

Defence ties strengthened

During the visit, the two sides also unveiled a landmark defence agreement under which the United Kingdom will supply lightweight multirole missiles to India, valued at approximately $468 million.

The missiles, to be manufactured in Northern Ireland, are designed to bolster India’s air defense capabilities and strengthen strategic cooperation between the two nations.

The deals reflect growing synergy between New Delhi and London across trade, technology, defence, and innovation, with both leaders expected to hold further discussions in New Delhi on Friday.