India, UK Seek Trade & Tech Boost as Starmer Visits India

• Starmer's first India visit with largest UK trade delegation.
• Post-trade deal focus: fintech, Vision 2030 ties.
• Amid Trump tariffs, eyes growth to 3rd largest economy.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was pleasantly received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for his first-ever official visit to India, accompanied by the largest-ever UK trade delegation. The visit comes after the recent signing of an India-UK trade agreement, which Starmer committed to "putting into practice as soon as humanly possible," thus making it a seed for economic growth in the wake of global trade disturbances caused by US President Donald Trump's tariffs.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the benefits of the deal: "It is not just another document; it is a beginning of the growth journey. Considering that India is projected to become the third-largest economy in the world by 2028, trade will not only become faster but also cheaper, thus giving access to the unused market opportunities." Modi's X message also confirmed this point, saying that "the meeting on Thursday will take us closer to the future that is stronger and mutually prosperous."

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The visit underlines the plan to deepen bilateral ties under the 'Vision 2035' roadmap which covers areas such as trade, climate action, education, technology, and people-to-people connections. On Thursday, both the leaders will give their speeches at the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai where they will meet with the business leaders to discuss the potential for collaboration in fintech and other areas.

Such high-level interaction signals the strategic focus on the India-UK relations in the context of the changing geopolitics map, fostering the spirit of innovation, and paving the way for joint prosperity as the two countries utilize their economic fortes to the maximum.