PM Modi to visit Britain, Maldives this week

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay a four-day visit to the United Kingdom and the Maldives from Wednesday to shore up overall bilateral ties and formalise the landmark India-UK free trade deal that is set to pave the way for doubling two-way trade by 2030 from current USD 60 billion.

- MPOST BUREAU

Modi will first travel to the UK on a two-day trip and then will visit the Maldives primarily to grace the island nation's Independence Day celebrations as "guest of honour", according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The prime minister's visit to the Maldives from July 25 to 26 is seen as important as it marks a significant reset of bilateral ties that had come under severe strain after Mohamed Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, became president in November 2023.

In the first leg of his trip, Modi will visit the UK from July 23 to 24 to hold wide-ranging talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the MEA said on Sunday.

India and the UK are expected to formally sign the free trade deal during PM Modi's visit to London, people familiar with the matter said, adding the British side has completed the administrative process for inking of the pact.