BY Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday visited Mumbai who is on a two-day official visit to India for the first time.
He met with key senior Indian government ministers and businesses to deepen bilateral trade and diplomatic relationships that will benefit all parts of the United Kingdom and India, media reported.
Starmer arrived in Mumbai at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
He was received by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and Governor Acharya Devvrat.
Starmer is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, after the signing of the historic India-UK Free Trade Agreement in July.
Both leaders will meet at the Raj Bhavan in Mumbai on Thursday morning, where they are expected to issue a joint communiqué outlining progress in the India-UK strategic partnership.
Starmer will interact with key industry leaders over lunch before heading to the Jio World Centre in Bandra-Kurla Complex to attend the Global Fintech Fest.
Starmer ahead of his visit said, “We signed a major trade deal with India in July the best secured by any country but the story doesn’t stop there. It’s not just a piece of paper; it’s a launchpad for growth. With India set to be the third biggest economy in the world by 2028, and trade with them about to become quicker and cheaper, the opportunities waiting to be seized are unparalleled.”
He added, “That’s why I’ll be flying the flag for British business alongside 125 of our biggest household names in Mumbai this week — because growth in India for them means more choice, opportunity, and jobs at home for the British people.”
India and the United Kingdom signed the landmark FTA in July, paved the way for deeper economic ties between the two nations.
Under the deal, 95% of Indian farm exports, including most agricultural goods such as dairy products, edible oils, apples, and oats, will now enter the UK duty-free.
The agreement significantly reduces import duties on several British products whisky tariffs will fall from 150% to 40% over the next decade, making premium Scotch, gin, and other UK spirits more affordable for Indian consumers.
The import duties on UK-made cars will be cut from over 100% to just 10% within a specified quota, potentially lowering prices for luxury brands like Range Rover, Aston Martin, Bentley, and Rolls-Royce.
The FTA also slashed tariffs on cosmetics, skincare, personal care products, chocolates, and biscuits, popular British brands such as The Body Shop, Charlotte Tilbury, Molton Brown, and Boots could soon become cheaper in India.
