The Prime Minister (PM) of India, Narendra Modi undertook a 2-day visit to the United Kingdom (UK) as part of his 1st leg of his two-nation tour (UK and the Maldives) from July 23 to July 24, 2025, at the invitation Keir Starmer, Prime Minister (PM) of the UK.
- This marked PM Modi’s 4th visit to the UK since assuming the office in 2014.
- PM Modi arrived at London Airport, where he was received by Catherine West, the UK Foreign Office Minister responsible for the Indo-Pacific, alongside Vikram Doraiswami, Indian High Commissioner to the UK and Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India.
Key Highlights
Key Highlights of Bilateral Meeting:
During his official visit to the UK, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with his British Counterpart Keir Starmer at the UK PM’s country residence at Chequers in Buckinghamshire, UK.
Finalization of Defence Industrial Roadmap: Both leaders appreciated the finalization of a Defence Industrial Roadmap to foster collaboration in co-design, co-development and co-production of defence products to meet the increasing demand in both countries as well as for the global market.
Completion of 1-year of Technology Security Initiative (TSI): Both India and the UK reaffirmed their shared commitment to harness frontier technologies to promote economic growth and bolster national security.
MoU: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Government of India (GoI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Crime Agency of the UK Government.
Endorsement of new ‘India-UK Vision 2035’:
During the bilateral meeting, PM of both countries endorsed the new ‘India-UK Vision 2035’. This newly launched framework appears to have replaced the ‘2030 Roadmap’ announced by India and the UK in 2021.
- The document will infuse greater ambition and renewed momentum in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership CSP by steering the relationship for another 10 years in key areas of economy and growth, technology, innovation, research and education, defence and security, climate action, health and people-to-people ties.
Key Features:
Annual Review: The implementation of newly launched documents will be reviewed annually by the External Affairs Minister (EAM) of India and the Foreign Secretary of the UK.
Key Areas: The focused Ministerial mechanisms will address key sectoral areas such as: technology, trade, investment and financial sector cooperation.
Comprehensive Outcomes:
Growth and Jobs: Both countries will support innovation, research and regulatory collaboration in priority growth sectors such as: Renewable Energy (RE), health and life sciences, critical and emerging technologies, financial services.
- Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) is entrusted with the responsibility to implement India UK Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA).
Climate and Clean Energy: This strategic collaboration between India and the UK on climate change action will help both countries in achieving their respective ambitious net zero goals.
Education: Both countries will set strategic direction for establishing educational links, through an Annual Ministerial India-UK Education Dialogue that will promote new areas of collaboration and strengthen education partnerships.
Technology and Innovation: Develop cutting-edge technology and research, building on the TSI, focused on future telecommunications (telecoms), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and critical minerals, laying the base for future collaboration on semi-conductors, quantum, bio-technology and advanced materials.
Defence and Security: Both countries have agreed to expand engagements with armed forces and advance defence capability collaboration.
PM Modi Met King Charles III at Sandringham Estate
During his visit to the UK, PM Modi met His Majesty King Charles III at Sandringham Estate, the summer residence of His Majesty.
Presented Tree Sapling: PM Modi presented a sapling of Davidia involucrate ‘Sonoma’, commonly known as the Sonoma dove tree, as part of ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam’ (plant for mother) initiative to King Charles III during the meeting.
About the United Kingdom (UK):
Capital- London
Prime Minister (PM) – Keir Starmer
Currency- Pound Sterling (GBP)
