India inks critical mineral, defence deals with UK

Modi, Starmer seek to build on FTA signed on July 24

- ARCHIS MOHAN & BHASWAR KUMAR

India and the United Kingdom (UK) on Thursday announced a dozen outcomes across sectors ranging from education and critical minerals to climate change and defence cooperation.

These include a $468 million (350 million pound) contract under which the UK will supply lightweight multirole missiles to India, and an agreement, worth $333 million (250 million pounds) initially, to take their collaboration on electric-powered engines for naval ships to the next stage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his visiting UK counterpart, Keir Starmer, met in Mumbai on Thursday morning and sought to inject fresh momentum into the strategic and economic partnership between the two countries. The meeting aimed to build on the free-trade agreement signed on July 24 during Modi's visit to Chequers. "In today's time of global uncertainty, our growing partnership stands as an important pillar of stability and economic progress," Modi said at one of the three events that the two leaders addressed during the day.

In his remarks, Starmer described the signing of the UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (Ceta) as a "breakthrough moment" that would reduce tariffs, expand market access, and generate employment.

He said India was on course to become the world's third-largest economy by 2028, and the UK was well positioned to be a partner in this growth story.