**British PM Keir Starmer Begins Historic First Visit to India with Focus on Trade**
**New Delhi:** British Prime Minister Keir Starmer commenced his maiden visit to India on an unusual yet engaging note aboard his British Airways flight from London to Mumbai. A video surfaced showing Starmer greeting passengers by saying, “This is the Prime Minister. I’m in the cockpit. This is the biggest trade mission to India that the UK has ever sent. I’m looking forward to working with you as we explore all the opportunities in our new free trade agreement.”
**PM Modi’s Warm Welcome**
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a warm welcome to Starmer on his “historic first visit to India.” Posting on X, Modi expressed optimism about their upcoming meeting:
_”Looking forward to our meeting tomorrow for advancing our shared vision of a stronger, mutually prosperous future.”_
**Details of the Visit**
Starmer is on a two-day visit to India, accompanied by a robust 125-strong business delegation. Upon arrival in Mumbai, he visited the iconic Yash Raj Film studio and also took part in a football event, signaling a blend of cultural engagement and diplomacy.
Following the informal activities, Starmer prepared for discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. These talks are a prelude to his meeting with PM Modi, where both leaders plan to review the progress made under the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership aligned with their ambitious ‘Vision 2035.’
Trade tops the agenda of the visit, with Starmer’s delegation aiming to capitalize on opportunities arising from the recently signed trade agreement. This deal aspires to double bilateral trade between the two nations to nearly $100 billion by 2030.
**Trade Agreement Under Scrutiny**
While the agreement marks a significant milestone, it is still undergoing scrutiny by the British Parliament. The House of Lords International Agreements Committee launched an inquiry on September 10, focusing on the potential benefits and risks for the UK, broader geopolitical implications, and the future of UK-India relations.
Lord Goldsmith, chair of the committee, emphasized these focal points amid ongoing evaluations.
**Indian Perspective on the Agreement**
Ambassador Ruchi Ghanashyam, former High Commissioner to the UK, acknowledged the agreement’s ambitious roadmap to deepen economic ties over the medium and long term but also highlighted areas needing further work.
“We are yet to see easing of visas from the UK side, but important agreements covering migration, mobility, and social security contributions of Indian nationals working in the UK are definitely steps in the right direction,” she noted. “There is a strong logic behind forging stronger bilateral ties between India and the UK, and governments in both countries recognize this.”
**Visa Issues: A Point of Friction**
Visa policies remain a slight point of friction in the India-UK relationship. Starmer clearly stated during an interaction with reporters in Mumbai that visa issues would not be discussed on this visit.
Rahul RoyChaudhury, Senior Fellow for South and Central Asian Defence, Strategy, and Diplomacy at the UK-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), described this as expected given the domestic political climate in the UK.
“Immigration has become a significant political issue with recent large anti-immigration rallies in London. It is anticipated to influence the local elections in 2026 and the general elections in 2029, where the Labour party could potentially lose ground to right-wing parties,” said RoyChaudhury.
He added, “Consequently, the government is enforcing a tough crackdown on illegal immigration alongside proposals to restrict legal migration to address public concerns.”
**Engagement at CEO Forum and Global Fintech Fest 2025**
Starmer and Modi are also scheduled to participate jointly in the CEO Forum and the Global Fintech Fest 2025 on Thursday, further underlining the commitment to expand economic and technological cooperation.
**Addressing Concerns on Sikh Extremism**
On India’s concerns regarding Sikh extremism, experts believe Starmer’s government has countered the expectations of Sikh separatists that the Labour administration might sympathize with their cause.
“There is now heightened awareness within the British government about the detrimental impact of Sikh separatists in the UK, and a clear intent to prevent a situation akin to what has been seen in parts of Canada and the US,” asserted RoyChaudhury.
Ambassador Ghanashyam agreed, emphasizing balance: “While the two sides will continue to engage on this subject, it is important not to blow the issue out of proportion. Sikh separatists are a small group and do not represent the majority view of the Sikh community in the UK.”
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**Summary**
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s inaugural trip to India signals a broadened and deepened collaboration between the two nations, especially in trade and economic partnerships. While challenges such as visa issues and security concerns remain, both countries appear committed to advancing their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for a mutually prosperous future.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/this-is-the-prime-minister-uk-pm-keir-starmer-surprises-british-airways-co-passengers-from-cockpit-on-maiden-india-visit-video