London: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer landed in Mumbai on Wednesday with a delegation of more than 100 British business, academic and cultural leaders. As Starmer boarded the aircraft for his two-day journey to India, he addressed his fellow travellers from the cockpit. His address to the fellow travellers have gone viral.
“This is your Prime Minister. I’m in the cockpit, and a very warm welcome to BA flight 9100 to Mumbai. It’s really fantastic to have you all on board,” Starmer said over the intercom. His visit is crucial as London seeks to deepen commerce with New Delhi after signing a long-awaited free trade agreement (FTA).
#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: UK PM Keir Starmer tells business leaders, “This is the biggest trade mission that the United Kingdom has ever sent to India…Obviously, this is a two-parter. We had Prime Minister Modi over to the United Kingdom earlier this year to sign the FTA… pic.twitter.com/I07hNHk3CV
— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2025
According to the British premier, the 125-member delegation accompanying him is the “biggest trade mission to India that the UK has ever sent”.
“So, I’m looking forward to working with you as we explore all the opportunities and take full advantage of all the opportunities in our new free trade agreement,” he added.
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Starmer Rules Out Easing Visa Norms for Indians During Mumbai Visit
But in a clear message ahead of his visit to Mumbai, Starmer affirmed that his government will not relax visa rules for Indian nationals — rejecting pleas from business circles even as the UK seeks deeper economic ties with India. Speaking to journalists aboard his flight to Mumbai, Starmer said: “It isn’t part of the plans” to open up more visa spots for Indian workers. He emphasised that demands from business to allow more highly skilled Indians into the UK would be resisted. He clarified the UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in July, does not alter visas:
“The visa situation hasn’t changed with the free trade agreement — we didn’t open up more visas,” Starmer said. “The issue is not about visas — it’s about business-to-business engagement and investment and jobs and prosperity coming into the United Kingdom.”
Leading UK industry voices, such as the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and City executives, have warned that curbs on migration will deter top global talent.
Starmer, however, downplayed those warnings, steering focus toward growth through trade and investment rather than worker mobility.
Starmer’s refusal to expand visa access comes amid strong domestic pressure to curb immigration. His administration has floated reforms including longer minimum residency for indefinite leave and linking migrant legal status to their “contribution” to the country.
