Overview

• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is due in India on October 8 and will join Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai on October 9 to deliver keynote addresses at the Global Fintech Fest.
• Both leaders will meet industry stakeholders in Mumbai to promote trade and investment opportunities under the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.
• They will review progress under the Vision 2035 roadmap covering trade and investment, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate and energy, health, education and people-to-people ties.
• CETA provisions highlighted by officials include UK zero duty on 99.1% of Indian goods, improved professional mobility, expanded services access and an objective to double bilateral trade by 2030.
• Talks are expected to address persistent friction points such as extradition of high-profile fugitives, visa and migration rules, and Indian concerns over extremist activity in the UK.