London (Agencies) — July 23, 2025: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the United Kingdom on Wednesday for a two-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and finalizing the long-awaited India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The visit marks Modi’s fourth trip to the UK and his first since Prime Minister Keir Starmer assumed office in 2024.
The centerpiece of the visit is the formal signing of the India-UK FTA, which has been under negotiation for three years. The agreement is expected to eliminate tariffs on 99% of Indian exports and reduce tariffs on 90% of British goods, including whisky, automobiles, and financial services. Officials project that the deal will double bilateral trade to $120 billion by 2030, up from the current $60 billion.
Modi is scheduled to hold wide-ranging talks with PM Starmer, covering trade, defense cooperation, climate action, education, and innovation. He will also meet King Charles III during the visit.
In addition to economic matters, Modi is expected to raise concerns over the presence of Khalistani extremist groups in the UK and discuss the extradition of Indian fugitives. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that these issues have been flagged as matters of national concern and will be addressed during bilateral discussions.
The visit also includes a review of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) between India and the UK, which was elevated in 2021. Both sides will assess progress in institutional mechanisms across defense, science and technology, and people-to-people ties.
Following the UK leg, Modi will travel to the Maldives from July 25 to 26, where he will be the Guest of Honour at the country’s 60th Independence Day celebrations. He is expected to meet President Mohamed Muizzu and review the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership