UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer landed in Mumbai on Wednesday morning for a two-day India visit, accompanied by the largest-ever trade delegation from the UK. The visit marks a significant milestone in India-UK relations, with both nations announcing a series of major agreements spanning technology, education, trade, and climate cooperation.

Following his meeting with UK Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, PM Modi described India and the UK as natural partners, stating, “India and the UK are natural partners. The foundation of our relationship is a shared belief in values such as democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.” He further noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Starmer, there has been remarkable progress in bilateral relations.

PM Modi recalled that during his UK visit in July this year, both nations reached an agreement on the historic Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). He emphasised that the UK Prime Minister’s visit, accompanied by the largest business delegation, symbolizes the new energy and broader vision that has energized the India-UK partnership.

The visit has yielded significant outcomes across multiple sectors:

**Technology and Innovation**
Both countries announced the establishment of the India-UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre and the India-UK Joint Centre for Artificial Intelligence (AI). Additionally, Phase II of the UK-India Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory will be launched, alongside a new satellite campus at IIT-ISM Dhanbad. The Critical Minerals Industry Guild will also be established to secure resilient supply chains and promote green technologies.

**Education**
Lancaster University received a Letter of Intent to open a campus in Bengaluru, while the University of Surrey has been granted in-principle approval to establish a campus in GIFT City.

**Trade and Investment Cooperation**
The inaugural meeting of the reconstituted India-UK CEO Forum and the resetting of the India-UK Joint Economic Trade Committee (JETCO) took place. These bodies will support CETA implementation and drive economic growth and job creation in both countries. A new joint investment in the Climate Technology Startup Fund was announced under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UK Government and the State Bank of India, aimed at supporting innovative entrepreneurs in climate technology and AI sectors.

**Climate, Health, and Research**
Both nations launched Phase III of the Bio-Medical Research Career Programme and established the Offshore Wind Taskforce. Furthermore, a Letter of Intent between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the UK’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) was signed, strengthening collaboration in medical research.

This landmark visit and the agreements signed represent a new chapter in the India-UK partnership, reinforcing their shared commitment to democracy, innovation, and sustainable growth.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/pm-modi-meets-uk-counterpart-keir-starmer-in-mumbai-check-key-outcomes-here