{"id":286966,"date":"2025-07-24T04:08:19","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T04:08:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/286966\/"},"modified":"2025-07-24T04:08:19","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T04:08:19","slug":"pm-modi-arrives-in-london-ahead-of-key-india-uk-free-trade-agreement-signing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/286966\/","title":{"rendered":"PM Modi arrives in London ahead of key India-UK free trade agreement signing"},"content":{"rendered":"

PM Modi UK Visit News Today:<\/strong> Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the London early Thursday<\/a><\/strong>, ahead of the formal signing of a long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom, marking what both countries have described as a turning point in bilateral relations.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis visit will go a long way in advancing the economic partnership between our nations,\u201d PM Modi said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. \u201cThe focus will be on furthering prosperity<\/a><\/strong>, growth and boosting job creation for our people. A strong India-UK friendship is essential for global progress.\u201d<\/p>\n

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PM Modi was greeted by members of the Indian diaspora upon his arrival. Sharing photographs of the welcome on social media, he wrote: \u201cTouched by the warm welcome from the Indian community in the UK Their affection and passion towards India\u2019s progress is truly heartening.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Touched by the warm welcome from the Indian community in the UK. Their affection and passion towards India\u2019s progress is truly heartening. pic.twitter.com\/YRdLcNTWSS<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Narendra Modi<\/a> (@narendramodi) July 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Why the visit holds significance<\/strong><\/p>\n

The signing of the trade deal with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to be the centerpiece of PM Modi\u2019s visit. Though the agreement was announced on May 6<\/a><\/strong>, the final text was pending legal scrubbing. It comes after three years of political upheaval in Britain and follows a sweeping Labour Party victory in the recent general elections.<\/p>\n

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Starmer described the FTA as a \u201clandmark\u201d achievement and a \u201cmajor win for Britain.\u201d He said the agreement would \u201ccreate thousands of British jobs across the UK, unlock new opportunities for businesses and drive growth in every corner of the country, delivering on our Plan for Change.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re putting more money in the pockets of hardworking Brits and helping families with the cost of living,\u201d Starmer added. \u201cWe\u2019re determined to go further and faster to grow the economy and raise living standards across the UK.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"PM PM Modi arrived in London early Thursday.<\/p>\n

The pact is India\u2019s first major trade agreement with a Western nation since it withdrew from talks on the China-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2019. The deal ensures broad market access for goods and services, and addresses key issues such as innovation, government procurement and intellectual property rights. It also includes a Double Contribution Convention Agreement \u2014 a social security pact between the two countries.<\/p>\n

For India, the agreement is expected to boost exports of textiles and leather products, while easing British access to the Indian market for high-end automobiles and whisky. According to India\u2019s Commerce and Industry Ministry, the FTA offers tariff elimination on approximately 99 per cent of tariff lines, covering nearly 100 per cent of trade value.<\/p>\n

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According to the UK\u2019s Department for Business and Trade, India\u2019s average tariff on British goods will fall from 15 per cent to 3 per cent once the FTA is in effect. British companies will benefit from greater access to the Indian market for goods ranging from soft drinks and cosmetics to cars and medical devices. Whisky producers will see tariffs halved immediately, dropping from 150 per cent to 75 per cent, and then gradually reduced to 40 per cent over a decade.<\/p>\n

British officials also announced that nearly 6 billion pounds in new investment and export agreements had been secured. Twenty-six British companies, including Airbus and Rolls-Royce, are poised to expand in India. Airbus aircraft deliveries to India \u2014 more than half powered by Rolls-Royce engines \u2014 are set to begin soon.<\/p>\n

\u2018Major win for Britain\u2019: UK PM Keir Starmer<\/p>\n

Hours before signing the long awaited Free Trade Agreement with India, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the trade deal with India is a major win for Britain and will boost bilateral trade by 25.5 billion pounds yearly.<\/p>\n

In a statement, Starmer said, \u201cUK-India FTA will create thousands of British jobs, unlock new opportunities for businesses and drive growth.\u201d<\/p>\n

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He also said that the trade deal will pave the way for a \u201cnew vision\u201d for 2035 and further deepen defence cooperation.<\/p>\n