UK-India trade pact takes flight

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to London earlier this year, is expected to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion annually, eliminate or slash tariffs across key sectors including whisky, textiles, and automobiles, and create thousands of jobs in both countries.

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Under the deal, Indian exporters will receive duty-free access to 99.1% of UK tariff lines, while British exporters will gain improved access to India's fast-growing market. The pact aims to double bilateral trade by 2030, with the UK's average tariff on Indian products dropping from 15% to 3%. "This is not just a piece of paper," Starmer said. "It's a launchpad for growth."

Prime Minister Modi welcomed Starmer's visit on X, saying, "Welcome Prime Minister Keir Starmer on your historic first visit to India with the largest-ever trade delegation from the UK. Looking forward to our meeting for advancing our shared vision of a stronger, mutually prosperous future." Upon arrival at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Starmer was received by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar.