Starmer Visits India to Boost Trade Ties
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has arrived in India with a high-level delegation to strengthen trade and business ties. The visit comes just months after the two countries signed a free trade agreement in July.
Trade, Not Visas
Starmer made it clear that the focus of his visit is purely economic. He stressed that visa policies will not be part of discussions, underlining that the trade pact was reached without altering immigration rules. He encouraged businesses to make full use of the agreement to expand market opportunities.
Delegation and Meetings
More than 100 delegates from sectors including business, academia, and culture are accompanying Starmer. He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to explore deeper cooperation in commerce, investment, technology, and infrastructure.
Economic Prospects
The trade deal is expected to gradually reduce tariffs on textiles, automobiles, whisky, and industrial parts. Analysts project that the pact could enhance bilateral trade by £25.5 billion over the coming years and strengthen UK exports to India, particularly in services and innovation.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the optimism, experts caution that regulatory hurdles, domestic concerns, and implementation delays could slow progress. Both sides will need to work closely to ensure the agreement delivers on its promises.
