Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a joint press conference on Thursday (October 9) in Mumbai, focusing on the growing ties between the two countries.

Modi said, “The largest and most influential delegation from the education sector so far has come with Prime Minister Starmer. It is a matter of great joy that now nine universities from the UK are going to open campuses in India. The Gurugram campus of Southampton University was recently inaugurated, and the first group of students has also taken admission.”

Addressing the CEO Summit in Mumbai, Modi described India and the UK as “natural partners” sharing common values. He stressed the importance of their partnership in bringing stability to a changing global landscape.

“In July, during my visit to the UK, we signed the historic Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), marking a major step forward in India-UK relations,” he added.

During their bilateral meeting, Starmer urged for the swift implementation of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed earlier this year. He called the deal “a crucial agreement,” noting that it is the largest trade deal the UK has signed since leaving the European Union and the most significant trade agreement India has ever negotiated. The FTA aims to increase bilateral trade between the two nations by £25.5 billion annually.

Starmer also announced that three major productions from India’s Yash Raj Films (YRF) will begin filming at various locations in the UK starting in 2026, highlighting growing cultural collaboration. He also participated in lighting diyas in Mumbai to mark Diwali, symbolizing the strong cultural ties between the countries.

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal wrote on X, “India-UK economic partnership enters a new phase! Thrilled to announce the signing of the Terms of Reference to reposition the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO). This institutional reset is a game-changer, strengthening our framework for strategic engagement, driving the implementation of the India-UK CETA, and boosting our joint ambition to significantly enhance our bilateral trade.”

The visit underscores the expanding education, trade, and cultural links between India and the UK, signaling a new phase in bilateral cooperation.