British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that his recent Mumbai visit secured £1.3 billion in investment deals and will create over 10,000 new jobs in the UK, while declaring India a “growing force on the world stage.”
Key Takeaways
- £1.3 billion in new UK-India investment deals secured
- Over 10,000 new jobs expected in the UK
- Historic trade agreement (CETA) to boost £44 billion annual bilateral trade
- Major focus on education, technology, and defence cooperation
Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, Starmer detailed his trade mission – the largest-ever British delegation to India – and reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to strengthening ties with New Delhi. He emphasized the significance of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) signed in July, calling it a “historic step” for bilateral relations.
“India is a growing force on the world stage, on track to have the third-largest economy by 2028,” Starmer told lawmakers.
Strengthening Bilateral Partnerships
The Prime Minister revealed that his discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi focused on expanding cooperation across multiple sectors. Several British universities are preparing to open campuses in India, solidifying the UK’s position as a top education partner for Indian students.
“We’re deepening the UK-India Technology Security Initiative to create fresh opportunities for our brilliant tech sector,” Starmer stated. The new investments span advanced manufacturing, defence, automotive production, and even Bollywood filmmaking in the United Kingdom.
Economic Impact and Implementation
The £1.3 billion investment is expected to generate 10,600 jobs across UK communities. “This is real change that people will see in their communities, up and down the country,” Starmer emphasized.
A joint statement issued after the Mumbai dialogue confirmed both leaders are pushing for the UK Parliament’s ratification of CETA “as early as possible.” The statement also welcomed the reactivation of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), which will oversee the trade agreement’s implementation.
Starmer’s October 8-9 visit included 127 business leaders, entrepreneurs, and university vice-chancellors, reflecting the UK’s ambitious agenda to expand its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies.
