UK PM Keir Starmer India Visit LIVE Updates: ‘India is on track to become the third largest economy by 2028,’ says Starmer

“Prime Minister Starmer and I had announced the Vision 2035. It serves as a blueprint of our shared ambitions. Between open and democratic societies like India and the United Kingdom, there is no area where our cooperation cannot expand,” said PM Modi

PM Modi said, “For us, AI means, ‘All Inclusive’. We must invest in skills, innovation, and governance to drive the next wave of growth. In AI, Bharat’s approach is dependent on three principals, equitable access, population scale skilling and responsible deployment. Bharat’s AI mission have capability to handle data and privacy. AI application design should be people centric.”

During Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Mumbai, he explained the job creation potential of 64 Indian investment projects worth £1.3 billion, which are expected to generate 6,900 new jobs across a range of sectors. Downing Street officials emphasised that the deals signed during Starmer’s visit serve as a strong vote of confidence in the UK as a business destination and reflect the growing impact of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement on investor confidence, ahead of its anticipated ratification by the British Parliament.

India is set to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2028, and the UK is ideally positioned to be a key partner in that growth, said Prime Minister Starmer at a news conference.

He described the India-UK trade deal as a strategic launchpad to enhance Britain’s global leadership across sectors such as technology, life sciences, renewable energy, and beyond.

“I think there’s huge optimism about the trade deal… There was optimism in July at Chequers when we hosted Prime Minister Modi and signed the deal. There’s just as much optimism here, with businesses already taking advantage of the new spirit brought about by the trade deal. The trade deal is yet to be fully implemented, which we’re going to do quickly, but it has already opened up new opportunities and confidence,” said Starmer on India-UK trade deal.

– Establishment of the India-UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre

– Establishment of the India-UK Joint Centre for AI

– Launch of Phase II of the UK-India Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory and establishment of a new satellite campus at IIT-ISM Dhanbad

– Establishment of the Critical Minerals Industry Guild to secure resilient supply chains and promote green technologies

– Handing over the Letter of Intent for opening of the Campus of Lancaster University in Bengaluru

– In-principle approval for opening of Campus of University of Surrey in GIFT City

– Inaugural meeting of the reconstituted India-UK CEO Forum

On visit of UK PM Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, “Khalistani extremist issue was discussed during meeting held today between PM Modi and PM Starmer. PM emphasised that radicalism & violent extremism had no space in democratic societies & should not be allowed to use or abuse the freedoms provided by societies, and there was a need to move against them in the legal framework available on both sides.”

During UK PM Keir Starmer’s visit, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that trade and investment is the key focus, saying, “The first major area is trade and investment. The Free Trade Agreement is currently undergoing ratification in both countries, and there is considerable excitement within the trade communities. This visit has opened opportunities for both sides to discuss enhancing economic engagement and fully capitalising on the tariff reductions under the FTA.”

‘AI and telecom to get a boost through CETA,’ says Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary. Defence is another sector that is considered.

In a special briefing, Vikram Misri said that the India-UK partnership is a partnership for the people, and it is for shared progress and prosperity.

– Establishment of the India-UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre

– Establishment of the India-UK Joint Centre for AI

– Launch of Phase II of the UK-India Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory and establishment of a new satellite campus at IIT-ISM Dhanbad

– Establishment of the Critical Minerals Industry Guild to secure resilient supply chains and promote green technologies

– Handing over the Letter of Intent for opening of the Campus of Lancaster University in Bengaluru

– In-principle approval for opening of Campus of University of Surrey in GIFT City

– Inaugural meeting of the reconstituted India-UK CEO Forum

At the Global Fintech Fest at Jio World Centre in Mumbai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “In just the first six months of this year, India has joined the top three most funded fintech ecosystems. India’s strength isn’t just scale. We’re combining scale with inclusion, resilience, and sustainability. “

While addressing the fest, PM Modi said, “For us, AI means, ‘All Inclusive’. We must invest in skills, innovation, and governance to drive the next wave of growth. In AI, Bharat’s approach is dependent on three principals, equitable access, population scale skilling and responsible deployment. Bharat’s AI mission have capability to handle data and privacy. AI application design should be people centric.”

“India’s UPI, Aadhaar-enabled payment, Bharat Bill payment system, Bharat QR, Digi locker, Digi yatra are the backbone of India. I believe that RBI’s digital currency will make things better going ahead,” says PM Modi.

PM Modi spoke about India’s AI mission. He added that ‘equitable access’ will remain as the focus in india’s AI mission.

PM Modi speaks at GFF on digital payment. He says, “Digital payments has become routine in India, which is because of JAM (Jan-Dhan, Aadhar and mobile) trinity. Per 100 digital transactions globally, 50 take place in India. Bharat’s digital stack is being talked about across the world now.”

At the Global Fintech Fest, PM Modi stated that this fest could attract investors to India.

While addressing Global Fintech Fest, PM Modi said, ‘We want the UK to be India’s first choice for finance and fintech.’ He further added that Mumbai is a city of energy, enterprise and endless possibilities.

At the India-UK CEO Forum, PM Narendra Modi revealed that India is opening its nuclear power sector to private investment, creating fresh opportunities to enhance bilateral cooperation. He invited businesses to join India’s development journey.

While addressing the media at the CEO forum stated that the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would benefit MSMEs, generate employment for youth, and noted that nine UK universities are planning to open campuses in India.

During his address at the CEO forum, Starmer said, ” It was my privilege to have some of you there and to have the Prime Minister there at Chequers for that historic meeting and then to have this as the second part of that. I see this as a celebration of the partnership between the UK and India and a clear display of our belief in the potential…”

At the CEO forum, Modi explained four new dimensions to CETA, He said, ” ‘C’ stands for Commerce and Economy. ‘E’ stands for Education and People-to-People Relations. ‘T’ stands for Technology and Innovation. ‘A’ stands for Aspiration. Today, our bilateral trade is approximately $56 billion. We have set a target of doubling it by 2030. I am confident that we can achieve this target ahead of time.”

As reported by CNN News 18, PM Modi and Starmer held talks and discussed Gaza and Ukraine war.

PM Modi said at the India-UK CEO Forum in Mumbai,” Today, our bilateral trade is approximately $56 billion. We have set a target of doubling it by 2030. I am confident that we can achieve this target ahead of time.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India and the UK are “natural partners,” and their strengthening relationship serves as a key pillar of global stability and economic progress amid ongoing global uncertainty

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the path-breaking India-UK CETA “will create new job opportunities for youth, expand trade and benefit both our industries as well as consumers”. In his talks with UK PM Keir Starmer, Modi said that they discussed trade, economic ties, technology, defence, AI, sustainable development, renewable energy, among other topics.

UK announced it had signed a $468 million contract to supply the Indian Army with UK-made lightweight missiles, marking a step forward in the growing defense partnership between the two nations.

In its statement on the deal, the British government said the contract for Lightweight Multirole Missiles, produced by Thales in Northern Ireland, would secure 700 jobs at a factory currently producing the same weapons for Ukraine.

“The deal paves the way for a broader complex weapons partnership between the U.K. and India, currently under negotiation between the two governments,” it added.

– Establishment of the India-UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre

– Establishment of the India-UK Joint Centre for AI

– Launch of Phase II of the UK-India Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory and establishment of a new satellite campus at IIT-ISM Dhanbad

– Establishment of the Critical Minerals Industry Guild to secure resilient supply chains and promote green technologies

– Handing over the Letter of Intent for opening of the Campus of Lancaster University in Bengaluru

– In-principle approval for opening of Campus of University of Surrey in GIFT City

– Inaugural meeting of the reconstituted India-UK CEO Forum

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK PM Keir Starmer have arrived at the Jio Center in Mumbai to take part in the CEO Forum.

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#watch | Maharashtra: PM Narendra Modi, along with UK PM Keir Starmer, arrive at Jio World Center in Mumbai for CEO Forum.

(Video: ANI/DD News) pic.twitter.com/OfJFkn0ak1

— ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2025

UK PM Keir Starmer in a joint address today batted for a UNSC seat for India. “We sit together in commonwealth, G20 and we want to see Indian taking its rightful place in the UN Security Council,” he said.