Biggest Trade Mission To India UK Has Ever Sent: Keir Starmer Welcomes Co-Passengers On Flight

Last Updated:October 07, 2025, 23:37 IST

Keir Starmer begins his first official India visit, meeting Narendra Modi to advance the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discuss the landmark CETA trade agreement

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the cockpit. (Keir Starmer/Instagram)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday addressed to the co-passengers after he boarded the flight for his two-day trip to India.

Sharing a video on his Instagram handle, Starmer said: “This is the Prime Minister in the cockpit. A very warm welcome to BA flight 9100 to Mumbai. It’s really fantastic to have you all onboard. This is the biggest trade mission to India that the UK has ever sent, so I am much looking forward to working with you as we explore all of the opportunities and take full advantage of the opportunities in our new free trade agreement. So, safe flight everybody. Enjoy the flight and I’ll give you further information once I’ve taken off.”

This will be his first official visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

During the two-day visit, Keir Starmer and PM Modi will review progress under the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in line with Vision 2035. Discussions will cover trade, investment, technology, defence, climate, energy, health and education. The leaders will also meet business leaders to explore opportunities arising from the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).

On October 9 in Mumbai, both prime ministers will deliver keynote addresses at the 6th edition of the Global Fintech Fest and hold exchanges on regional and global developments. According to the MEA, the visit builds on the momentum from PM Modi’s July 2025 trip to the United Kingdom and is expected to reaffirm a forward-looking partnership between the two countries.

The visit carries added significance as India and the United Kingdom signed the CETA on July 24 in London after more than three years of negotiations. The agreement seeks to double bilateral trade to USD 120 billion by 2030. The pact, described by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal as a “game-changing” deal, is currently undergoing ratification and is expected to take effect in 2026.

Officials said the two leaders are expected to take stock of developments related to the agreement and discuss wider cooperation on trade, technology and defence.

The meeting will also take place against the backdrop of global economic uncertainty. While the United Kingdom has reached a non-binding deal with the United States to reduce tariffs, India- facing additional duties linked to Russian oil imports- has resumed its own trade talks with Washington.

The CETA is India’s most important trade agreement with a Western nation and represents the United Kingdom’s most comprehensive pact since its departure from the European Union.

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