India, UK Deepen Strategic Partnership: Trade, Technology, Defence Lead 2025 Summit Agenda
PM Modi with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer at the Global Fintech Fest 2025 in Mumbai on Thursday.
Mumbai, October 10: India and the United Kingdom on Thursday reaffirmed their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, adopting fresh measures in trade, technology, defence, and climate cooperation during British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s first official visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The visit, from October 8–9, follows Modi’s trip to London in July 2025, which saw the signing of the landmark India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the India–UK Vision 2035 roadmap.
Trade and Investment: CETA and CEO Forum Push
Both leaders welcomed the momentum in bilateral trade and investment, noting that ratification of CETA at the earliest would unlock growth for both economies. The two sides also reset the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) to oversee implementation of the pact and guide future cooperation.
A high-powered UK business delegation of 125 CEOs and entrepreneurs explored investment prospects across infrastructure, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, defence, education, and financial services. The ongoing UK-India Infrastructure Financing Bridge (UKIIFB) between NITI Aayog and the City of London Corporation was cited as a model for sustainable financing partnerships.
The leaders also agreed to renew the India–UK Air Services Agreement, opening avenues for deeper collaboration across the aviation and aerospace sectors.
Technology and Innovation: AI, 6G and Critical Minerals
Building on the Technology Security Initiative (TSI), the two Prime Ministers announced several joint technology hubs:
- India–UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre, with £24 million in joint funding to advance AI-native 6G networks, Non-Terrestrial Networks, and cybersecurity.
- India–UK Joint Centre for AI, focused on responsible and trustworthy AI in health, climate, fintech, and engineering biology.
- UK–India Critical Minerals Collaboration Guild and Phase 2 of the Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory, expanding research, processing, and investment ties—including a new satellite campus at IIT-ISM Dhanbad.
In biotechnology, new agreements link the Centre for Process Innovation (UK) with BRIC institutes (India), the Henry Royce Institute with IISc, and Oxford Nanopore Technologies with BRIC-CDFD, to drive breakthroughs in biomanufacturing, 3D bioprinting, and genomics.
Defence and Security: Maritime and Counter-Terror Focus
Defence cooperation took a significant leap with plans to expand joint exercises, training, and maritime security collaboration in the Indo-Pacific. India welcomed the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group port call and Exercise KONKAN.
Both countries will finalise an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for developing maritime electric propulsion systems for Indian naval platforms and proceed on a government-to-government supply of Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) systems—a boost to India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat goals in defence manufacturing.
The leaders condemned terrorism in all forms, citing the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, and pledged to counter radicalisation, terror financing, and misuse of emerging technologies for extremist purposes through stronger bilateral and multilateral cooperation, including at UN and FATF platforms.
Climate and Energy: Green Finance and Offshore Wind
Reaffirming commitment to Net Zero targets, the Prime Ministers launched the India–UK Climate Finance Initiative to unlock green growth and investment. A new Climate Tech Start-up Fund, backed by the UK Government and the State Bank of India, will support entrepreneurs in climate technology and AI.
They also announced the establishment of an Offshore Wind Taskforce and cooperation through the Global Clean Power Alliance (GCPA).
Education, Culture, and People-to-People Links
Education remained a centrepiece of engagement, with nine leading UK universities opening or expanding campuses in India.
- University of Southampton welcomed its first cohort in Gurugram.
- Universities of Liverpool, York, Aberdeen, and Bristol received LoIs to set up Indian campuses.
- Queen’s University Belfast and Coventry University will open at GIFT City, while Lancaster University (Bengaluru) and University of Surrey (GIFT City) gained fresh approvals.
The leaders endorsed the Annual Ministerial Strategic Education Dialogue and a Programme of Cultural Cooperation signed earlier in 2025, recognising the Indian diaspora in the UK as a “living bridge” between both nations.
Global and Regional Cooperation
Reiterating their commitment to a rules-based international order, India and the UK pledged to work together on UN Security Council reform, with London reaffirming its support for India’s permanent membership bid.
They discussed global flashpoints, supporting peace in Ukraine and backing the US peace plan for Gaza, calling for restraint, protection of civilians, and a two-state solution in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Starmer thanked Modi and the Indian government for the hospitality extended to his delegation. Both leaders said the visit reaffirmed the positive trajectory of the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, grounded in shared democratic values and mutual trust.
