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.

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PM to visit Assam on 20-21 December
December 19, 2025
PM to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of projects worth around Rs. 15,600 crore in Assam
PM to inaugurate New Terminal Building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in Guwahati
Spread over nearly 1.4 lakh square metres, New Terminal Building is designed to handle up to 1.3 crore passengers annually
New Terminal Building draws inspiration from Assam’s biodiversity and cultural heritage under the theme “Bamboo Orchids”
PM to perform Bhoomipujan for Ammonia-Urea Fertilizer Project of Assam Valley Fertilizer and Chemical Company Limited at Namrup in Dibrugarh
Project to be built with an estimated investment of over Rs. 10,600 crore and help meet fertilizer requirements of Assam & neighbouring states and reduce import dependence
PM to pay tribute to martyrs at Swahid Smarak Kshetra in Boragaon, Guwahati

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will undertake a visit to Assam on 20-21 December. On 20th December, at around 3 PM, Prime Minister will reach Guwahati, where he will undertake a walkthrough and inaugurate the New Terminal Building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport. He will also address the gathering on the occasion.

On 21st December, at around 9:45 AM, Prime Minister will pay tribute to martyrs at Swahid Smarak Kshetra in Boragaon, Guwahati. After that, he will travel to Namrup in Dibrugarh, Assam, where he will perform Bhoomi Pujan for the Ammonia-Urea Project of Assam Valley Fertilizer and Chemical Company Ltd. He will also address the gathering on the occasion.

Prime Minister will inaugurate the new terminal building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in Guwahati, marking a transformative milestone in Assam’s connectivity, economic expansion and global engagement.

The newly completed Integrated New Terminal Building, spread over nearly 1.4 lakh square metres, is designed to handle up to 1.3 crore passengers annually, supported by major upgrades to the runway, airfield systems, aprons and taxiways.

India’s first nature-themed airport terminal, the airport’s design draws inspiration from Assam’s biodiversity and cultural heritage under the theme “Bamboo Orchids”. The terminal makes pioneering use of about 140 metric tonnes of locally sourced Northeast bamboo, complemented by Kaziranga-inspired green landscapes, japi motifs, the iconic rhino symbol and 57 orchid-inspired columns reflecting the Kopou flower. A unique “Sky Forest”, featuring nearly one lakh plants of indigenous species, offers arriving passengers an immersive, forest-like experience.

The terminal sets new benchmarks in passenger convenience and digital innovation. Features such as full-body scanners for fast, non-intrusive security screening, DigiYatra-enabled contactless travel, automated baggage handling, fast-track immigration and AI-driven airport operations ensure seamless, secure and efficient journeys.

Prime Minister will visit the Swahid Smarak Kshetra to pay homage to the martyrs of the historic Assam Movement, a six-year-long people’s movement that embodied the collective resolve for a foreigner-free Assam and the protection of the State’s identity.

Later in the day, Prime Minister will perform Bhoomipujan of the new brownfield Ammonia-Urea Fertilizer Project at Namrup, in Dibrugarh, Assam, within the existing premises of Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited (BVFCL).

Furthering Prime Minister’s vision of Farmers’ Welfare, the project, with an estimated investment of over Rs. 10,600 crore, will meet fertilizer requirements of Assam and neighbouring states, reduce import dependence, generate substantial employment and catalyse regional economic development. It stands as a cornerstone of industrial revival and farmer welfare.