UK PM’s India visit to be primarily a trade mission to unlock FTA benefits

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer are scheduled to hold bilateral meeting in Mumbai on October 9

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s India visit this week is primarily a trade mission focussing on the next stage of the India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) and gearing businesses from both countries to take full advantage once the deal is ratified, sources have said.

“It is understood that the UK PM is visiting India on a trade mission, so that is expected to be the focus. There is a lot of excitement around the opportunities unlocked by the India-UK FTA, which is set to double bilateral trade to about $115 billion by 2030 and boost GDPs. Both governments are trying to encourage the industry in the two countries to look at the unlocked potential from the deal and the future opportunities,” a source tracking the matter told businessline.

digital eco-system

The India-UK FTA, officially called the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), was signed in July this year but will be implemented after the UK Parliament ratifies it. “Businesses are already transforming through supply chain restructuring, digital eco-system connectivity and brand and market positioning as they await ratification of the India-UK CETA,” the source said.

Starmer’s trip to India on October 8-9 will be his first official visit to the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Starmer are scheduled to hold their bilateral meeting in Mumbai on October 9  to take stock of progress in diverse aspects of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in line with ‘Vision 2035, per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The MEA had earlier said both leaders will engage with businesses and industry leaders on opportunities presented by the India–UK CETA as a central pillar of the future India-UK economic partnership. They will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance.

Eliminating tariffs

The FTA will lead to the UK eliminating tariffs for India on about 99 per cent of tariff lines. Agriculture, food processing, seafood, textiles, engineering goods, electronics, footwear and gems and jewellery are some of the sectors that are expected to gain significantly.

India, on the other hand, agreed to give tariff-free access to the UK on 85 per cent of its tariff lines spread over 10 years. UK sectors to gain substantially include whisky and liquor, automobiles, advanced manufacturing such as aircraft parts, and most scientific and technical measuring instruments, and UK agri-food products, such as fresh and frozen salmon and cod, lamb, chocolates, biscuit and soft drinks, as well as cosmetics and toiletries.

Published on October 6, 2025