UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is on a two-day visit to India, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai on Thursday to discuss new areas of collaboration between the two countries. This marks Starmer’s first official visit to India since taking office in July last year. The meeting resulted in several major announcements aimed at strengthening cooperation in defence, trade, climate action, and education — four areas both governments have identified as crucial for their shared future.

I’m writing about this visit because it represents a key turning point in India-UK relations. Over the last few years, both nations have been working to move beyond historical ties to build a partnership defined by innovation, strategic trust, and shared goals. From maritime defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific to the opening of UK university campuses in India, this visit is not just symbolic — it’s about setting a long-term roadmap. Understanding what this partnership means helps us see how education, technology, and economic opportunities can shape a stronger bridge between two leading democracies.

Strengthening ties across key sectors

The meeting between the two leaders focused on deepening engagement in defence, trade, and education, while also expanding collaboration in areas such as clean energy and climate resilience.

Defence and security cooperation

A major highlight of the talks was the agreement on enhanced defence collaboration, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. Prime Minister Modi emphasised that India is committed to working closely with the UK on maritime security, counterterrorism, and defence technology sharing.

The two sides agreed to expand joint military training programmes, increase exchanges between defence academies, and explore co-development of advanced systems. These measures come amid growing global focus on maintaining a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.

Starmer’s visit also reaffirmed the UK’s support for India’s growing role in global peace and stability. He expressed interest in defence production partnerships under India’s ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ initiative, signalling deeper industrial collaboration between both nations’ private sectors.

Trade and investment opportunities

On the economic front, both leaders reviewed progress on the much-awaited India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is now in its final stages of negotiation. The agreement aims to boost bilateral trade, which already stands at over £36 billion annually, by reducing tariffs and easing market access.

The UK is one of the largest investors in India, while Indian companies — particularly in IT, pharmaceuticals, and green energy — are increasingly contributing to the UK economy. The leaders also discussed ways to strengthen start-up collaboration and support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through innovation-driven partnerships.

Both governments agreed to promote joint research in clean energy, artificial intelligence, and sustainability, aligning with their shared goal of achieving net-zero emissions.

Education and skill development

One of the most important outcomes of Starmer’s visit lies in the education sector. India and the UK announced new steps to deepen academic collaboration, making higher education more globally accessible for Indian students.

The UK government confirmed its support for setting up British university campuses in India, a move that will bring top-quality international education within reach for thousands of Indian students. Institutions such as the University of Southampton, University of Liverpool, and University of York are already planning to begin operations in cities like Gurugram, Mumbai, and Bengaluru by 2026.

Additionally, both countries agreed to expand the UK-India Young Professionals Scheme, allowing more Indian graduates to gain work experience in the UK. New initiatives will also promote student exchange programmes, research collaborations, and vocational skill development — a key part of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 vision for globalised learning.

The growing importance of the India-UK partnership

The India-UK relationship has evolved significantly over the past decade — from a primarily trade-driven partnership to a comprehensive alliance covering defence, education, climate, and digital innovation. The “Roadmap 2030”, adopted earlier, laid the foundation for long-term cooperation between the two countries, and this visit further strengthens that framework.

Both leaders emphasised that their countries share democratic values and a common vision for sustainable growth and global peace. The discussions also touched upon the role of technology in governance, cybersecurity collaboration, and promoting transparent global supply chains.

Starmer’s visit to Mumbai — India’s financial hub — highlighted the UK’s intention to position itself as a strategic economic partner as India emerges as one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world.

Why this visit matters

1. A new era of global education cooperation

By allowing UK universities to open campuses in India, the partnership is setting a new benchmark for international education collaboration. It will make quality higher education more affordable and accessible for Indian students, reducing the need to go abroad while maintaining world-class standards.

2. Strengthening defence in the Indo-Pacific

India’s strategic partnership with the UK adds depth to its Indo-Pacific vision, where both nations aim to ensure peace, maritime stability, and freedom of navigation. This cooperation strengthens India’s global positioning as a responsible regional power.

3. Boosting economic confidence

The Free Trade Agreement, once finalised, is expected to create thousands of new jobs, open investment channels, and promote innovation-led growth. It will also help businesses on both sides access new markets with lower trade barriers.

4. Reinforcing climate and technology goals

Joint research and investment in clean energy, green hydrogen, and AI mark a shared commitment to innovation-driven sustainability. Both leaders stressed the importance of using technology to achieve climate targets while creating new economic opportunities.