PM Modi's UK visit signals boost in bilateral trade ties

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on his fourth visit to the UK later this week IndiaUK ties have seen new energy with the finalisation of the muchawaited Free Trade AgreementAccording to the MEA PM Modi will hold wideranging discussions with his UK counterpart on the entire gamut of IndiaUK bilateral relations They will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importanceOver the years the IndiaUK historical ties have transformed into a robust multifaceted mutually beneficial relationship The relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2021New Delhi and London have seen sustained and frequent highlevel political engagements Prime Minister Modi has met UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer twice over the past year They met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil in November 2024 and again during the G7 Summit in June 2025 Both also had multiple telephonic conversations over the periodA significant marker of the strength of ties is the five ministeriallevel Institutional Mechanisms in strategic economy amp finance trade energy science and technology between the two countriesOther recently held dialogues include the Foreign Office Consultation Defence Consultation Group and 22 Foreign and Defence DialogueOn the economic front bilateral trade has crossed record USD 55 billion in 2024 registering an increase of about 10 per cent over that of 2023 The conclusion of the IndiaUK FTA announced on May 6 2025 by both Prime Ministers has been a major milestone in bilateral tiesThe two countries have seen sustained and highlevel cooperation across several frontsEarlier in June Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and UK Permanent UnderSecretary Oliver Robbins cochaired the 17th UKIndia Foreign Office Consultations and the inaugural Strategic Exports and Technology Cooperation Dialogue focusing on deepening the IndiaUK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across trade technology defence and peopletopeople exchangesEarlier in May UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy had said that the landmark trade agreement between the United Kingdom and India marks a new era of bilateral cooperation highlighting the economic and strategic importance of the dealThis is just the start of supercharging our GBP 43 billion trading relationship he saidUK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the finalisation of the trade deal as a major achievement and had called it the UKs biggest postBrexit deal and Indias most ambitious to datePM Modi while speaking at the ABP Network India 2047 Summit had remarked that the landmark Free Trade Agreement FTA between India and the United Kingdom centered on mutual trade and economic cooperation between two of the worlds largest powers and open market economies marks the beginning of a new chapter in the growth and development of both countriesThe two worlds biggest open markets have come together which will add to their historiesThis will also open new opportunities for the MSMEs sector PM Modi saidNotable sectors which have emerged as key pillars of our bilateral ties are Business Technology Research Education and InnovationWith an Indian diaspora that forms about 27 per cent of the total population of UK it acts as the living bridge which forms a key pillar of growth and development of India UK relations through their valuable contribution to the British society and economy as well as promoting bilateral cultural and economic cooperation and bonds of friendship between peoples of our two countriesPM Modi during this important visit would see that the two sides will also review the progress of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership CSP with a specific focus on trade and economy technology and innovation defence and security climate health education and peopletopeople tiesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever