Overview

• India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed Keir Starmer’s first official trip to India for October 8–9, with bilateral talks with Narendra Modi and keynote addresses at the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai on October 9.
• The two leaders will review progress under the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in line with Vision 2035, spanning trade, investment, technology, defence, climate, energy, health and education.
• After the July signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, both sides will engage businesses on market‑access opportunities as the pact undergoes ratification, with implementation expected in 2026 according to multiple reports.
• Planning points to a push on the UK–India Technology and Security Initiative across AI, telecoms, quantum, biotech, advanced materials, semiconductors and critical minerals, with critical‑minerals cooperation described as moving quickly and potentially yielding announcements.
• Starmer is expected to travel with business delegations, and talks are set to cover security and political issues including counter‑terror cooperation, pro‑Khalistan activity, extraditions and wider regional and global developments.