India-UK: New Deals on Trade, Tech, Defence and Education

At the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, paid his first official visit to India from 8–9 October 2025. Accompanied by a high-powered delegation of cabinet ministers, business leaders, academics, and cultural icons, the visit marked a new chapter in the deepening India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The visit followed Prime Minister Modi’s own trip to London in July 2025, during which the two nations signed the historic India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), adopted the Vision 2035 roadmap, and advanced defence collaboration.

India-UK: Business and Growth – A Shared Economic Vision

Both Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction at the upward trajectory of bilateral trade and investment, highlighting the CEO Forum held in Mumbai as a symbol of private-sector engagement. The leaders underscored the urgency of ratifying CETA at the earliest opportunity, with the newly restructured Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) set to oversee its implementation.

The delegation of 125 UK CEOs and entrepreneurs explored opportunities in clean energy, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, defence, culture, and financial services. The existing UK India Infrastructure Financing Bridge (UKIIFB) was hailed as an example of shared ambition for sustainable development.

Technology and Innovation: Building the Future Together

Technology featured prominently during the talks. The two Prime Ministers inaugurated the India–UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre, a pioneering hub to advance AI-native 6G networks, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), and cybersecurity.

Other initiatives included the India–UK Joint Centre for AI, focusing on responsible AI applications in health and climate, and the UK–India Critical Minerals Collaboration Guild, aimed at securing supply chains and launching Phase 2 of the Minerals Supply Chain Observatory at IIT-ISM Dhanbad.

Strategic biotechnology partnerships were also announced, linking leading UK institutions like the Centre for Process Innovation, Henry Royce Institute, and Oxford Nanopore with India’s BRIC and IISc to deliver breakthroughs in genomics, 3D bioprinting, and biomanufacturing.

India-UK: Defence and Security – Strengthening Indo-Pacific Ties

Both sides agreed to enhance military exchanges, training, and joint exercises. Prime Minister Modi welcomed the presence of the UK Carrier Strike Group and Royal Navy’s participation in Exercise KONKAN. Maritime security was elevated with the decision to establish a Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (RMSCE) under India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.

The leaders also agreed to move forward with a government-to-government deal for Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM), supporting India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat defence goals. Additionally, cooperation on maritime electric propulsion systems was announced to bolster Indian naval platforms.

Both nations issued a strong joint condemnation of terrorism, including the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, and pledged zero tolerance for extremism while enhancing cooperation through the UN and FATF frameworks.

Climate, Energy, and Sustainability

Reaffirming their shared climate goals, Modi and Starmer unveiled the India-UK Climate Finance Initiative, aimed at scaling green finance and supporting climate-tech entrepreneurs. A new joint Climate Tech Start-up Fund was launched under an MoU between the UK Government and the State Bank of India.

The two sides also advanced cooperation on offshore wind energy through a new Offshore Wind Taskforce, and reiterated their intent to collaborate within the Global Clean Power Alliance (GCPA).

Education, Culture, and People-to-People Bonds

Education emerged as a cornerstone of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with both leaders welcoming the opening of nine UK university campuses in India. The University of Southampton’s Gurugram campus already hosts its first batch of Indian students, while approvals were granted for institutions like Lancaster University, University of Surrey, and others to expand across Bengaluru and GIFT City.

Cultural cooperation was also underlined, with the leaders recognizing the role of the Indian diaspora in the UK as a “living bridge” binding the two nations together. Plans for the first Annual Ministerial Strategic Education Dialogue and expanded cultural exchanges were announced.

Global and Regional Cooperation

On global affairs, Modi and Starmer pledged to work together for a reformed United Nations Security Council, with the UK reiterating support for India’s bid for permanent membership. They also addressed pressing issues such as peace in Ukraine, stability in the Middle East, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

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