PM, Starmer cement ties with defence, trade push

The India-UK partnership is an important pillar of global stability and economic progress in an era of international instability, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday after talks with his British counterpart Keir Starmer aimed at driving cooperation in areas ranging from trade and investment to defence and technology.

- Shailesh Gaikwad and Rezaul H Laskar

Starmer arrived in the financial hub of Mumbai on Wednesday with a 126-strong trade delegation for a two-day visit aimed at drumming up business and investments three months after India and the UK concluded a free trade agreement after years of start-stop negotiations, spurred by the geo-economic unpredictability triggered by the tariff policies of the Donald Trump administration in the US.

Besides reiterating their commitment to global stability and a rules-based world order, Modi and Starmer hailed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), saying it will slash tariffs, increase access to each other's markets, boost trade, create jobs, and benefit industries and consumers in both countries.

The leaders unveiled initiatives under the Technology Security Initiative (TSI) to drive cooperation in telecom, critical minerals, AI and health tech, as well as steps to advance defence and security collaboration, including an agreement on government-to-government supply of lightweight multirole missile (LMM) systems to bolster India's air defence capabilities and an arrangement for Indian Air Force (IAF) instructors to be integrated with the Royal Air Force (RAF).

"India and the UK are natural partners. Our relationship is built on the shared values of democracy, freedom and rule of law. In today's era of global uncertainty, our growing partnership stands as an important pillar of global stability and economic progress," Modi said at a media interaction with Starmer, speaking in Hindi.

"India's dynamism and the UK's expertise together create a unique synergy. Our partnership is trustworthy, and driven by talent and technology." he added.