Your Excellency Prime Minister Starmer,
Delegates from both countries,
Friends from the media
Namaskar!
I am delighted to welcome Prime Minister Keir Starmer here in Mumbai today on his first visit to India.
Friends,
Under Prime Minister Starmer's leadership, India-UK relations have made significant progress. During my visit to the UK in July this year, we concluded the historic Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). This agreement will reduce import costs between the two countries, create new employment opportunities for youth, boost trade, and benefit both our industries and consumers.
Your visit to India along with the largest-ever business delegation, just months after the Agreement, reflects the new energy and broad vision driving the India–UK partnership.
Friends,
Yesterday marked the largest summit of business leaders between India and the UK. Today, we will also be addressing the India–UK CEO Forum and the Global FinTech Festival. These will bring valuable insights, and open up new avenues for further strengthening India–UK cooperation.
Friends,
India and the UK are natural partners. Our relationship is built on the shared values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. In today’s time of global uncertainty, our growing partnership stands as an important pillar of global stability and economic progress.
In today's meeting, we also shared views on the Indo-Pacific, peace and stability in West Asia, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. On the issues of the Ukraine conflict and Gaza, India supports all efforts to restore peace through dialogue and diplomacy. We are fully committed to enhancing maritime security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Friends,
There are immense possibilities in the technology partnership between India and the UK. We are working to connect the UK’s industrial expertise and R&D with India’s talent and scale.
Last year, we launched the India–UK Technology Security Initiative. Under this initiative, we have created a strong platform for joint research and innovation in critical and emerging technologies. To connect the youth of both countries through an innovation bridge, we have taken several steps, including establishing the ‘Connectivity and Innovation Centre’ and the ‘Joint AI Research Centre’.
We have decided to establish an Industry Guild and a Supply Chain Observatory for cooperation on critical minerals. Its satellite campus will be located at ISM Dhanbad.
We have a shared commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals. In this direction, we welcome the formation of the India–UK Offshore Wind Taskforce.
We have established the Climate Technology Startup Fund. This will provide support to innovators and entrepreneurs from both countries working in the fields of climate, technology, and AI.
Friends,
From defense and security to education and innovation, India and the UK are shaping new dimensions in their relationship.
Today, Prime Minister Starmer is accompanied by the largest and most influential delegation from the education sector so far. It is a matter of great pleasure that several UK universities are now establishing campuses in India. The Gurugram campus of Southampton University was recently inaugurated, and the first batch of students has already joined. Additionally, the construction of campuses for three other UK universities in GIFT City is currently underway.
Our defense cooperation has also deepened. We are moving towards defense co-production and connecting the defense industries of both countries. Taking our defense collaboration a step further, we have signed an agreement for cooperation in military training, under which Flying Instructors from the Indian Air Force will serve as trainers with the UK’s Royal Air Force.
It is a special coincidence that while this meeting is taking place in the country’s financial capital Mumbai, our naval ships are participating in the joint exercise "Konkan 2025.”
Friends,
The 1.8 million Indians residing in the United Kingdom are a living bridge of our partnership. Through their valuable contributions to British society and the economy, they have strengthened the bonds of friendship, cooperation, and progress between our two nations.
Friends,
India’s dynamism and the United Kingdom’s expertise together create a unique synergy. Our partnership is trustworthy, and driven by talent and technology. And today, as Prime Minister Starmer and I stand together on this stage, it is a clear reaffirmation of our shared commitment to work hand in hand towards building a brighter future for the people of both our nations.
Once again, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Prime Minister Starmer and his delegation for their visit to India.
Thank you very much.
प्राइम मिनिस्टर स्टार्मर के नेतृत्व में, भारत और UK के रिश्तों में उल्लेखनीय प्रगति हुई है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 9, 2025
इस साल जुलाई में मेरी UK यात्रा के दौरान हमने ऐतिहासिक Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement पर सहमति बनाई: Prime Minister @narendramodi
Agreement के कुछ ही महीनों में आपका यह भारत दौरा और आपके साथ आया अब तक का सबसे बड़ा business delegation, भारत–UK साझेदारी में आई नई ऊर्जा और व्यापक दृष्टि का प्रतीक है: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 9, 2025
भारत और UK natural partners हैं। हमारे संबंधों की नीव में Democracy, freedom और rule of law जैसे मूल्यों में साझा विश्वास है: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 9, 2025
मौजूदा वैश्विक अस्थिरता के दौर में, भारत और UK के बीच यह बढ़ती हुई साझेदारी global stability और आर्थिक प्रगति का एक महत्वपूर्ण आधार बन रही है: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 9, 2025
हमने Indo-Pacific, West-Asia में शांति और स्थिरता, और यूक्रेन में चल रहे संघर्ष पर भी विचार साझा किए।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 9, 2025
यूक्रेन कान्फ्लिक्ट और गाज़ा के मुद्दे पर, भारत dialogue और diplomacy से शांति की बहाली के सभी प्रयासों का समर्थन करता है।
हम Indo-Pacific क्षेत्र में maritime security…
हमने critical minerals पर सहयोग के लिए एक इंडस्ट्री गिल्ड और सप्लाइ चेन Observatory की स्थापना का निर्णय लिया है। इसका सैटेलाइट कैंपस ISM धनबाद में होगा: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 9, 2025
प्रधानमंत्री स्टार्मर के साथ शिक्षा क्षेत्र का अब तक का सबसे बड़ा और प्रभावशाली प्रतिनिधिमंडल आया है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 9, 2025
यह बहुत खुशी की बात है कि अब UK की नौ universities भारत में campuses खोलने जा रही हैं।
Southampton University के Gurugram campus का हाल ही में उद्घाटन हुआ है और छात्रों का पहला…
हमने मिलिटरी ट्रेनिंग में सहयोग पर समझौता किया है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 9, 2025
इसके तहत भारतीय वायुसेना के Flying Instructors UK की Royal Air Force में trainers के रूप में कार्य करेंगे: PM @narendramodi
भारत का dynamism और यूके की expertise मिलकर एक unique synergy बनाती है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 9, 2025
हमारी साझेदारी trustworthy है, talent और technology driven है: PM @narendramodi
