British PMKeir Starmer more likely to go to India in October

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is “probably” to go to India across the October 7-9 Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, high-level diplomatic sources confirmed to The Hindu on Monday (September 22, 2025).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. Starmer will maintain summit-level talks throughout the go to, which comes slightly greater than two months after Mr. Modi visited the U.Ok. to attend the signing of the U.Ok.-India free commerce settlement. The commerce settlement continues to be working its means by means of the ratification course of within the U.Ok. and is anticipated to return into impact solely in 2026. The two sides are negotiating a bilateral funding treaty and introduced a Technology Security Initiative in July final yr.

There have been enormous geopolitical upheavals, particularly in commerce, after the 2 males met within the final week of July. U.S.-India relations have been at a low not seen in years over a 50% tariff on Indian items exported to the U.S..This features a 25% “penalty” for India buying and selling in vitality and arms with Russia.

The EU has mentioned it needs to improve ties with India however has expressed issues about India participating in navy workouts with Russia and shopping for oil from that nation. The U.Ok. additionally lately hosted U.S. President Donald Trump for a state go to, signing tech and nuclear vitality agreements.

Apart from tech, defence, and safety, the summit in India can be more likely to see discussions round cooperation within the training sector, with a number of U.Ok. universities, such because the University of Southampton, opening campuses in India.

The journey can be a possibility for Mr. Starmer, who’s on the defensive, politically, at house and in want of exhibiting he’s making commerce offers work for the British financial system by creating jobs and bringing inward funding.

The Hindu has learnt that the 2 Prime Ministers are more likely to go to one different metropolis, other than Mumbai. This location continues to be being finalised.