Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday departed for the United Kingdom in the first phase of his two-nation visit, which will also take him to Maldives at the end of this week. The visit to the UK from July 23-24 is to promote bilateral relations, with the much awaited India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed as a major attraction.
India-UK FTA has been talking for three years. The agreement is expected to eliminate tariffs on 99% of Indian exports to Britain and reduce tariffs on 90% British products.
From the current USD 60 billion mark, FTA is estimated to double bilateral trade by 2030. It will also make it easy for British firms to export products such as whiskey and cars to India.
According to Mea, PM Modi will hold wide discussion on the entire gamut of the India-UK bilateral relations with his UK counterpart, Kir starrer. They will also exchange ideas on issues of regional and global importance. Over the years, the Indo-UK historical relations have turned into a strong, multi-faceted, mutually beneficial relationship.
The relationship was elevated for a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2021. New Delhi and London have seen continuous and constantly high-level political busyness. Prime Minister Modi has met the UK Prime Minister Kir Stmper twice in the last one year. He met on the edge of the G20 summit in Brazil in November 2024 and again during the G7 Summit in June 2025. The two leaders also held several telephone conversations during this period.
An important marker of relations strength is strategic, economy and five ministerial levels of finance, trade, energy, science and technology between the two countries. Other recently held dialogues include Foreign Office Counseling, Defense Counseling Group, 2+2 foreign and defense dialogues. The Economic Front, bilateral trade has recorded a 55 billion USD in 2024, which marks an increase of about 10 percent in 2023.
The Indo-UK FTA was announced on 6 May 2025 by the two Prime Ministers, a major milestone in bilateral relations. Both countries have seen continuous and high-level cooperation in many fronts. PM Modi will hold extensive conversations with the British Prime Minister Kir Stmper to cover business, defense, climate, innovation and education. He will also meet King Charles III.India and the UK will discuss strengthening its defense and safety relations, including regular military exchanges and artificial intelligence and cooperation on important technologies such as semiconductors.
PM Modi is likely to increase the issue of Khalistani extremists in Britain, which has been a concern for India. The UK government has assured India that it will take necessary action to resolve the issue. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that the issue of Khalistani extremists and related groups is a matter of concern for India, and has been brought to the attention of partners in the United Kingdom.
There has also been a discussion between India and Britain about the extradition of fugitives in India, Misri said. Secretary Secretary Misri said, “The issue of the presence of Khalistani extremists, the bodies near these people, something that we want to draw the attention of our colleagues in the UK. This is a matter of concern.” Also with countries. “
Responding to a media query on the fugitive issue in the UK, Misri said that the fugitive related to Indian law is a legal process for such requests and India is working “very closely” with the UK on the issue.
“UK has some questions related to Indian law and Indian justice. These have been a matter of discussion between the two sides and we have continued to make a case for these fugitive people, which are cases to be presented in India. Such requests, issues pass in another country, and we continue closely with our partners in the UK in this case.”
The two countries will also review progress in areas such as climate action, healthcare, education, and people’s relations with people. With an Indian migrant people, which forms approximately 2.7 percent of the total population of Britain, it acts as a living bridge that is to join along with a major pillar of India’s development and development as well as connecting with both. PM Modi will visit Maldives from 25-26 July. (AI)