PM leaves for London: India & UK set to sign free trade pact; Modi to meet Starmer, King Charles

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday departed or a two-nation visit to the United Kingdom and Maldives. The Prime Minister will visit United Kingdom from July 23 to 24. Following this, he will embark on a state visit to the Maldives from July 25 to 26.

PM Modi’s visit to the UK focuses on strengthening India-UK bilateral ties, highlighted by the signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) after three years of negotiation. The FTA will eliminate tariffs on 99% of Indian exports to the UK and reduce tariffs on 90% of British products, aiming to double bilateral trade from the current $60 billion by 2030. It will also ease British exports of whisky and cars to India.

PM Modi will hold wide-ranging discussions with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer covering trade, defense, climate, innovation, and education, and will meet King Charles III. The two countries will discuss defense and security collaboration, including military exchanges and cooperation on AI and semiconductors.