Starmer in Mumbai for two-day visit to fast-track UK-India trade pact

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday for a two day visit to India aimed at fast‑tracking implementation of the free trade agreement the two countries signed in July and to promote British investment, while ruling out any new visa concessions for Indian workers. Starmer led a 125‑strong trade mission of business, academic and cultural figures and is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 9 to discuss the trade pact and other regional and global issues.

Starmer told reporters en route that expanding visa access was not part of the visit, saying the trip was “about business‑to‑business engagement, investment, and jobs and prosperity coming into the United Kingdom.” At events in Mumbai he urged British companies to seize opportunities created by the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, instructing officials to implement the deal “as soon as humanly possible.” He repeated his call to delegates to report tangible outcomes on return, saying he wanted each to come back with “a deal, a contact.”

The trade agreement, signed on July 24, reduces tariffs and increases market access for goods and services and is designed to increase...