Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in London on Wednesday for a two-day visit to strengthen India-UK ties, with the signing of a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) set for Thursday. Greeted by UK Foreign Office Minister Catherine West and Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami, Modi expressed optimism about advancing economic partnerships.

The FTA, to be formalized by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds in the presence of Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, will slash tariffs on 99% of Indian exports and ease market access for British goods like whisky and cars. Valued at boosting bilateral trade by USD 25.5 billion annually by 2040, the deal also includes a double contribution convention, exempting Indian employers from UK social security contributions.

Modi’s talks with Starmer will focus on deepening strategic cooperation in defence, technology, and innovation. The Indian diaspora, led by groups like Overseas Friends of BJP, celebrated Modi’s visit, hailing the FTA as a milestone for both nations. Bilateral trade, already at USD 55 billion in 2023-24, is set to grow, with the UK as India’s sixth-largest investor at USD 36 billion and Indian firms employing nearly 100,000 in Britain.

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Modi will also meet King Charles III before heading to the Maldives to mend ties with President Mohamed Muizzu. “This visit will drive prosperity and job creation,” Modi said, emphasizing the global significance of India-UK friendship.

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