Defence Co-Production, UK Universities In India: Takeaways From PM Modi-Starmer Meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced a series of landmark collaborations between India and the United Kingdom, as he addressed a joint statement with Keir Starmer, during the UK Prime Minister’s

visit to India.

During his address, following his bilateral ties with his British counterpart, PM Modi highlighted new partnerships in education, defence, and people-to-people ties.

“India and the UK are natural partners. The roots of our relationship are faith in democracy, freedom and the rule of law. In the times of current global instability, the strengthening relationship of India and the UK has remained an important pillar of global stability and economic development, PM Modi said.

Speaking on the defence cooperation between India and the UK, PM Modi said, “We are moving towards defence co-production.”

“Defence cooperation between India and the UK has strengthened, advancing toward co-production and linking the defence industries of both countries,” he said.

“Taking this collaboration further, an agreement on military training has been signed, under which Indian Air Force flying instructors will serve as trainers with the UK’s Royal Air Force”

PM Modi noted that the collaboration would boost interoperability and enhance strategic ties between the two nations.

“From defence and security to education and innovation, India-UK ties are reaching new dimensions,” he added.

“India’s dynamism and the UK’s expertise together make a unique synergy. Our cooperation is trustworthy. It is our clear commitment that we together will build a bright future for the people of both countries,” the Prime Minister said.

WHAT PM MODI SAID ON UK VARSITIES IN INDIA

“We have a very influential delegation of the UK education sector in India. Nine UK universities will open their campuses in India, and the University of Southampton has already started operations,” Prime Minister Modi said, as he spoke of the education sector.

The Prime Minister emphasised that education has emerged as a key pillar of the India–UK partnership.

INDIA COMMITTED TO PROMOTING PEACE

Prime Minister Modi also reaffirmed India’s commitment to promoting peace in the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, and the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

PM Modi stated that India supports the restoration of peace and the resolution of every conflict, including the Gaza issue, through dialogue and diplomacy.

“On the issues of the Ukraine conflict and Gaza, India supports all efforts to restore peace through dialogue and diplomacy. In the Indo-Pacific region, we are committed to enhancing maritime security cooperation,” PM Modi said.

INDIA-UK SHARE GREAT BILATERAL TIES

Speaking on the long-standing cultural and community linkages, the Prime Minister added, “The diaspora is a living bridge between our countries.”

Underscoring the strength of the bilateral relationship, PM Modi remarked, “India’s dynamism and the UK’s expertise make a unique composition.”

JOINT ECONOMIC AND TRADE COMMITTEE BETWEEN INDIA, UK

Today, India and the United Kingdom also took a major step to boost economic ties with the signing of the Terms of Reference to reposition the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).

The move aims to provide a stronger framework for trade cooperation and to push forward the implementation of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) signed in July 2025.

CETA provides an unprecedented duty-free access to 99 per cent of India’s exports to the UK, covering nearly 100 per cent of the trade value. This includes labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, marine products, gems and jewellery, and toys, as well as high-growth sectors like engineering goods, chemicals, and auto components.

Following the interaction between the two leaders, Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said, “Reinforcing our shared commitment to a strong and enduring partnership for the benefit of our two peoples. PM Narendra Modi and PM Keir Starmer.” 

🇮🇳-🇬🇧| Reinforcing our shared commitment to a strong & enduring partnership for the benefit of our two peoples.

PM @narendramodi and PM @Keir_Starmer of UK held extensive talks in Mumbai today.

Both sides reviewed the 🇮🇳-🇬🇧 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and identified new… pic.twitter.com/pIFSxEEGOV

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) October 9, 2025

TALKS BETWEEN PM MODI, KEIR STARMER

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held wide-ranging talks with his British counterpart, broadly focusing on boosting the India-UK ties in areas of trade, defence and security and critical technology.

The British leader, accompanied by a delegation of 125 of the UK’s most prominent business leaders, entrepreneurs and educationists, landed in Mumbai on Wednesday morning on a two-day visit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a social media post after the press conference, said it was “a delight” to welcome Starmer and highlighted that the large delegation accompanying him is further proof of the strong potential of India-UK ties.

It was a delight to welcome my friend, PM Keir Starmer at the Raj Bhavan in Mumbai. Being his first visit to India, it is surely a special occasion. The presence of the largest business delegation to India makes it even more special and illustrates the strong potential of… pic.twitter.com/znZTxoWq1l

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 9, 2025

“It was a delight to welcome my friend, PM Keir Starmer at the Raj Bhavan in Mumbai. Being his first visit to India, it is surely a special occasion. The presence of the largest business delegation to India makes it even more special and illustrates the strong potential of India-UK ties,” he said in a post on X.

Starmer’s visit to India came two-and-a-half months after the two countries inked a landmark free trade pact that will increase market access, cut tariffs and is expected to result in doubling the bilateral trade by 2030.

The trade deal was firmed up during PM Modi’s visit to London in July.

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