'Visa Deal Not On Table': UK PM Starmer Lands In Mumbai, Set To Meet EAM Jaishankar Today

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Mumbai for a two-day visit. His schedule today includes attending a soccer event at Cooperage Ground, visiting Yash Raj Studios, and meeting several leading industrialists.

In the evening, the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is expected to call on him for discussions. The official workday of the visit is set for tomorrow, during which more formal diplomatic and business engagements are planned.

During his visit, Starmer and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will review progress under the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in line with Vision 2035. Discussions will cover trade, investment, technology, defence, climate, energy, health and education. The leaders will also meet business leaders to explore opportunities arising from the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).

India-UK Trade Deal

Starmer’s visit follows PM Modi’s trip to the UK in July, where a trade deal was signed and nearly £6 billion in new investment and export wins were confirmed – creating 2,200 UK jobs. The landmark UK-India trade deal will lower tariffs on British goods being imported into India, the door is now open for British businesses to turbocharge their trade with one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

Starmer is leading a delegation of around 125 of the UK’s most prominent CEOs, leading entrepreneurs, university Vice Chancellors and cultural institutions on his trade mission to India in pursuit of growth and jobs at home, according to UK government’s Business and industry department.

The 125-strong delegation marks the largest ever government trade mission to India. The delegation includes leaders from British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Natwest, Premier League, Ernst and Young, Rolls-Royce, British Telecom, Diageo and London Stock Exchange as the UK PM aims to secure opportunities for them to grow and expand into the Indian market – delivering growth and supporting jobs at home.

Starmer Rules Out Visa Deal

However, the British PM ruled out pursuing a visa deal with India, saying his visit aims to strengthen economic ties and build on the existing free trade agreement. Speaking to reporters, he said visas had previously hindered trade talks and would not be part of current discussions with PM Modi.

“That isn’t part of the plans,” he said, adding the visit was “to take advantage of the free trade agreement that we’ve already struck”, Reuters reported. “Businesses are taking advantage of that. But the issue is not about visas,” he stated.

Emphasizing a tougher stance on immigration, Starmer clarified that while he wants Britain to attract top global talent, visa issues—especially for tech professionals—are not on the table.