New Delhi: All eyes are on UK prime minister Keir Starmer’s two-day visit to India, starting Wednesday, during which several key issues are likely to be discussed. These include the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
During his maiden visit to India as the prime minister, Starmer will be attending an international finance conference. The visit follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Britain in July, when the two sides signed the FTA that is currently being ratified and will come into effect by next year.
Many believe that the visit is likely to boost relations in areas ranging from trade and technology to defence and security, against the backdrop of widespread churn on the global stage due to the policies of the US administration.
Modi and Starmer are expected to hold bilateral talks in Mumbai, where they will also participate in the Global Fintech Fest 2025.
“Ratification of the FTA is key as it is expected to boost two-way commerce by $35 billion in the long run, cut tariffs on goods ranging from textiles to whisky, and enhance market access. The policies of US president Donald Trump are also likely to feature on the agenda, which have affected both India and the UK to varying degrees,” an official said.
It will also be an opportunity to review the implementation of the Vision 2035 strategy to drive collaboration in defence, technology, climate and migration, and the Defence Industrial Roadmap for closer cooperation on military hardware.
India is also expected to take up the issue of terrorism and the activities of pro-Khalistan elements in the UK. The repatriation of economic offenders and fugitives wanted by New Delhi are also expected to figure in discussions during the upcoming visit.
Modi, during the visit to the UK in July, had emphasised that there can be no double standards in the fight against terrorism.
In an apparent reference to pro-Khalistan elements, the Indian PM had said that “forces with extremist ideology cannot be allowed to misuse democratic freedoms”.