After high-level talks with his British counterpart Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Mumbai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that India’s dynamism and Britain’s expertise together create a unique synergy. He said the partnership between India and Britain is driven by credibility, talent and technology.
Addressing a joint press conference with Starmer, Prime Minister Modi said, “India’s dynamism and Britain’s expertise together create a unique synergy. Our partnership is credible, talent and technology-driven.”
The Prime Minister said that Britain and India have made significant progress under Starmer’s leadership. He also recalled the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement signed between the two countries during his visit to London in July this year.
Addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Starmer, Prime Minister Modi said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Starmer, there has been significant progress in India-UK relations. In July this year, during my visit to the UK, we signed the historic Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
The Prime Minister said that the CETA agreement will reduce import costs between the two countries and create new employment opportunities for the youth. He said that trade between Britain and India will also increase which will boost Indian industries and consumers.
The Prime Minister said, “This agreement (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) will reduce import costs between the two countries, create new employment opportunities for the youth, increase trade and will benefit our industries and consumers. Your visit to India, just a few months after the signing of the agreement, accompanied by the largest ever business delegation, symbolizes the new vigor in the India-UK partnership.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that nine universities would be created. Students coming from Britain will open their campuses in India. The Prime Minister also informed that the Gurugram campus of the University of Southampton has already opened and the first students have also enrolled.
PM Modi further said, “India and the UK are natural partners. Mutual trust in values such as democracy, freedom and rule of law lies at the foundation of our relationship. In the current era of global instability, this growing partnership between India and the UK has been an important pillar of global stability and economic progress. In today’s meeting we discussed the Indo-Pacific, peace and stability in West Asia and the Ukraine conflict. On Gaza issues, India supports all efforts for peace through dialogue and diplomacy. In the Indo-Pacific region, we are committed to enhancing maritime security.
Prime Minister Modi said that apart from education, Britain will also help in training flight instructors of the Indian Air Force.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted the agreement on cooperation in military training between the two countries and said that under this agreement, flying instructors of the Indian Air Force will work as trainers in the Royal Air Force of Britain.
Prime Minister Modi said, “We have signed an agreement for cooperation in military training. Under this agreement, flying instructors from the Indian Air Force will work as trainers in the Royal Air Force of Britain.”
He also announced plans to set up an industry consortium and supply chain observatory for cooperation on critical minerals. A satellite campus of this observatory will be at the Indian School of Mines in Dhanbad, Jharkhand.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Starmer held a delegation level meeting in Mumbai.
On Wednesday, Starmer held a series of wide-ranging talks in Mumbai. He met business leaders and described the India-UK trade partnership as “really important”. “This is the largest ever trade mission sent by the United Kingdom to India,” he said while interacting with industry representatives.
He said his visit is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “return visit” after his visit to Britain earlier this year.
