Overview

• India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed Keir Starmer’s first official visit to India on October 8–9, with meetings in Mumbai and keynote addresses by both leaders at the Global Fintech Fest.
• Starmer and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will review progress under the Vision 2035 roadmap and engage industry on opportunities created by the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.
• The July trade pact is undergoing legal and parliamentary ratification with entry into force expected in 2026, and it is framed to expand market access and roughly double bilateral trade by 2030.
• Talks will press forward the 2024 UK–India Technology Security Initiative across AI, quantum, semiconductors, biotech, telecoms, advanced materials and critical minerals, with some workstreams reported to be moving quickly.
• Bilateral discussions are also set to cover counter‑terror cooperation, India’s concerns about pro‑Khalistan activity in the UK, and New Delhi’s push to return or extradite economic fugitives.