New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian, France, with both
leaders taking stock of the strong progress in India-UK relations since their reciprocal visits last year. The two sides welcomed progress across all pillars of Vision 2035, spanning trade and economic growth, defence and security, climate action and green energy, technology and innovation, and education and people-to-people ties.
Both leaders called for the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, the landmark trade deal signed between the two countries last year that has become central to deepening bilateral economic cooperation. Discussions also touched on the education partnership between the two nations, with both sides expressing satisfaction at recent progress on the University of Liverpool establishing a campus in Bengaluru, and the University of York and University of Bristol setting up campuses in Mumbai.
Had a wonderful meeting with PM Keir Starmer in Evian. The last year has been outstanding as far as India-UK relations are concerned. The trade deal has opened many avenues of economic cooperation. Today’s talks focused on how to add even more momentum to India-UK ties.… pic.twitter.com/dAazvLxBiX
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 16, 2026
Technology and critical minerals cooperation in focus
PM Modi thanked Starmer for the UK’s strong representation at the AI Impact Summit held in Delhi earlier this year and welcomed the steady progress under the bilateral Technology Security Initiative. Among the recent milestones highlighted was the launch of the India-UK Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory, a joint initiative aimed at strengthening supply chain stability for critical minerals between the two countries.
Shared concerns on West Asia and Ukraine
The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual concern, including the situations in West Asia and Ukraine, reflecting the broader geopolitical backdrop against which the G7 Summit is taking place this year. Both PM Modi and Starmer reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, building on the trade, education and technology cooperation discussed during the meeting. The talks form part of a series of bilateral engagements PM Modi is holding on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian.
