Mumbai/New Delhi, India — October 8, 2025
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is in India this week for a high-profile trade mission, following the signing of a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and India. The visit includes business, academic, and cultural leaders from the UK as Starmer seeks to implement the deal’s promises and deepen economic ties.
Key Aspects of the Trade Deal
- The UK-India FTA, formally concluded in July 2025 after years of negotiation, aims to reduce tariffs on many goods, including British whisky, cars, cosmetics, and medical devices, while easing duties on many Indian exports such as clothing, footwear, and food items.
- Bilateral trade is expected to grow significantly: the deal is projected to boost trade by £25.5 billion ($34 billion) by 2040.
- The deal does not include expanded visa access for Indian workers or broader migration policy changes, despite pressure from businesses and industry groups. Starmer has confirmed that visa rules are not part of the current plan.
Starmer’s Objectives on the Visit
- Promote UK investment in India and vice versa, including in sectors like technology, manufacturing, education, and consumer goods. Business leaders (from companies like Rolls-Royce, Diageo, and others) are part of the delegation.
- Ensure speedy implementation of the FTA’s provisions: lowering of tariffs, improved market access, and facilitating trade flows.
- Strengthen the strategic partnership beyond trade: cooperation in areas such as education, investment, connectivity, and regulatory alignment.
Controversies & Criticisms
- Some in the UK Parliament and the public have expressed concern that certain concessions in the deal could disadvantage British workers. For example, there’s a “double contributions” arrangement in the deal that exempts some Indian professionals seconded to the UK (and vice versa) from paying into national insurance/social security for a period. Critics say this could upset fairness or lead to unequal treatment.
- There’s also been pressure to include more liberal visa or migration policies, particularly for highly skilled workers. Starmer has pushed back, saying immigration or visa policy are not part of this trade deal.
Why This Matters
- Post-Brexit economics: This is the biggest trade agreement the UK has signed since leaving the European Union, and Starmer has framed it as a crucial element of the government’s economic strategy. It represents a shift toward opening markets and rebuilding trade ties globally.
- India’s economic rise: India is projected to become the third-largest economy in the world in the near future; strengthening ties with it is seen as strategically important for countries like the UK.
- Trade over migration: By explicitly excluding visa changes, Starmer is signaling that trade and economic cooperation are priorities, while also acknowledging domestic political sensitivities over immigration.
What to Watch Next
- How quickly both countries move to implement the terms of the FTA and ease tariff barriers.
- Whether any side deals will be reached around services trade, regulatory collaboration, or digital/tech sectors.
- How the UK handles foreign policy or rights issues raised during the trip (some groups expect Starmer to raise concerns about human rights in India).
- Whether future trade deals or the UK’s domestic policy shift will try to balance trade openness with stricter migration control.
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