PM MODI's UK VISIT IS VITAL FOR GLOBAL PROGRESS

PM Modi visited the United Kingdom from July 23 to 24, 2025, at the invitation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This is his fourth visit to the United Kingdom. His visit will strengthen the economic, technical, and defense relations between India and Britain and will play an important role in furthering the economic partnership.

 

Narendra Modi was given a grand welcome and greeting by the members of the Indian community in London. During this, the NRIs were holding the tricolour in their hands and were raising slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Modi-Modi. PM Modi accepted the greetings of everyone by folding his hands and shaking hands.

 

Starmer hosted Modi at his official residence, Chequers, 50 km from London. The main objective of this visit will be to promote prosperity, development, and employment generation in both countries.

DISCUSSION ON INDIA-UK BILATERAL RELATIONS

              

Bilateral relations between India and the UK were discussed, and the progress of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was also reviewed. The two countries also exchanged views on issues of regional and global importance. The two sides also reviewed the progress of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) with a special focus on trade and economy, technology and innovation, defense and security, climate, health, education, and people-to-people relations.

 

There were talks between both sides on the extradition of fugitive criminals, and both ensured that we are in touch with each other. There was also discussion on how others, like Tahawwur Rana, can be extradited.

BRITAIN AND INDIA SIGNED A FREE TRADE AGREEMENT 

Britain and India signed a free trade agreement during this visit, sealing a deal to cut tariffs on goods from textiles to whisky and cars and allow more market access for businesses.

 

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is also on a UK visit with PM Modi. He has a major role in the negotiations related to the FTA. Earlier, the deal was finalised between the two countries on 6 May 2025. This will benefit companies from both countries as their goods will become cheaper, leading people to buy more.

 

The FTA aims to double the bilateral trade to $120 billion by 2030. After the deal, trade between the two countries is expected to reach $120 billion by 2030. Along with this, new employment is expected in sectors like digital, engineering, and marketing in both countries.

THESE GOODS CAN BECOME CHEAPER DUE TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES

• Cars: British luxury cars like Jaguar Land Rover can now be bought at a lower    price.                          
• Scotch whisky and wine: Tariff on liquor and wine coming from England will be reduced, resulting in them being cheaper than before. However, after this deal, those domestic liquor companies will get competition, which is growing rapidly in the premium alcohol market.
• Fashion and clothing: Branded clothing, fashion products, and homeware from the UK may also become cheaper.
• Furniture and electrical goods: Furniture, electronics, and industrial machinery from the UK can now be available at a lower price.
• Jewellery and gems: Indian gems and jewellery will be sold cheaply in the UK, which may make products cheaper for Indian customers in the UK. 
• Export taxes on labour-intensive products from India, such as leather, footwear, textiles, toys, gems, and jewellery, to the UK will be abolished.

Mark Kent, CEO of the Scotch Whisky Association, described the deal as 'transformational' and said, "The UK-India Free Trade Agreement is a once-in-a-generation deal and a historic moment for Scotch whisky exports to the world's largest whisky market."

Since 2014, India has signed 3 such free trade agreements with Mauritius, the UAE, Australia, and EFTA (European Free Trade Association). The deal will create more than 2,200 British jobs across the country, he said, as Indian firms expand their operations in the UK and British companies secure new business opportunities in India.

 

BRITAIN IS THE SIXTH LARGEST INVESTOR IN INDIA

                               

The UK is the sixth largest investor in India, with a total FDI of $36 billion. Interestingly, India is also a major investor in the UK, with a total FDI of about $20 billion. UK cooperation is also growing in the field of education. The University of Southampton has opened its campus in Gurugram, the first foreign university under India's new education policy.

Several other British institutions are also planning to open campuses in India. In addition, the two countries will increase cooperation in areas such as telecommunications, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, semiconductors, and quantum computing under the Technology Security Initiative (TSI).

 

 MEETING WITH BRITAIN's KING CHARLES III

 

Mr. Modi met King Charles III and presented a tree sapling as part of his “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” environmental initiative during his audience with the monarch at his Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, eastern England.

 

The two discussed issues related to health and sustainable living, including Ayurveda and Yoga, and ways to bring their benefits to people around the world. Charles III said that the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between India and the UK will give new impetus to the mutual partnership between the two countries. Prime Minister Modi thanked King Charles for his hospitality and invited him to visit India on a state visit.