Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended a warm welcome to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai, marking the start of his first official visit to India since taking office. The two leaders took a ceremonial walkthrough of the historic Raj Bhavan and posed for photos against a backdrop of the Indian and UK flags, signaling the symbolic strength of their bilateral ties.

The meeting sets the stage for high-level discussions on trade, investment, and strategic cooperation, including the ongoing implementation of the ‘Vision 2035’ roadmap. The roadmap aligns with the India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in July, valued at around £6 billion, expected to create over 2,200 jobs in the UK while reducing tariffs on British exports to India.

“This engagement reflects our commitment to a strong, forward-looking partnership with the United Kingdom,” sources close to the Prime Minister said.

Key areas of discussion include defence collaboration, digital innovation, clean energy transition, education, healthcare, and climate resilience. Both leaders are also expected to explore opportunities under the proposed India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), designed to further deepen economic ties.

Following the bilateral talks, Modi and Starmer will participate in the India–UK CEO Forum at Jio World Centre, bringing together top business leaders, investors, and industry experts to discuss collaborative opportunities under the evolving trade framework.

Later, the leaders will jointly address the 6th edition of Global Fintech Fest 2025, themed: “Empowering Finance for a Better World – Powered by AI, Augmented Intelligence, Innovation, and Inclusion.” The event will see participation from global innovators, central bankers, regulators, and policymakers, highlighting India’s emerging leadership in financial technology and AI-driven solutions.