PM Modi Begins UK Visit to Boost Trade, Defence, and Tech Ties; FTA Signing and Talks with King Charles

New Delhi (India) July 24: The Indian diaspora welcomes Prime Minister Narendra Modi to London with great enthusiasm before he signs a historic free trade agreement with the UK.

Meetings with Top Leaders

The prime minister has a hectic agenda. It includes meetings with King Charles and his British counterpart, Keir Starmer. The meetings will take place before he departs for the Maldives.

Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Dorsaiswami, British High Commissioner to New Delhi Lindy Cameron and UK Foreign Office Indo-Pacific Minister Catherine West receives the Prime Minister at the airport.

Keir Starmer will host Modi at Chequers. It is the official country home of the British prime minister. It is located close to London.

Focus on Strategic Partnership

The visit's main events are the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). It also includes a renewed effort to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) between India and the UK.

The presidents will probably concentrate on strengthening economic ties, emphasising growth, wealth and the creation of jobs in both nations. 

PM Modi's visit also highlights efforts to lower or remove import and export tariffs between the two countries. It is a part of the proposed trade agreement which seeks to increase the competitiveness of both countries' products. 

PM Modi said, “Our collaboration spans a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, technology, innovation, defence, education, research, sustainability, health and people-to-people ties” in a statement.

Security Measures in Place

The British side has undertaken considerable security plans. This is done in order to prevent any attempt by pro-Khalistan elements to obstruct PM Modi's visit or plan protests. This includes educating security forces about Indian concerns.

According to the foreign secretary Vikram Misri, research, innovation, technology, education, and defence are important foundations of India-UK collaboration.

The foreign secretary also mentions the two countries' Technology Security Initiative (TSI). It focuses on collaboration in the areas of ICT, vital minerals, AI, biotechnology, semiconductors, advanced materials and quantum computing.

PM Modi is making his fourth trip to the UK since taking office. He had already been to Glasgow in 2015, 2018 and 2021 for the COP26 summit.

PM Modi's international visit coincides with the start of the Monsoon Session of Parliament on July 21.

The prime minister will also visit the Maldives as a "guest of honour" to attend the island nation's Independence Day celebrations after making a two-day trip to the UK.

Aadrika Tayal