Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Visit London at PM Keir Starmer’s Invitation to Sign UK-India Free Trade Agreement
[London, July 19, 2025] —
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit London on July 23–24 at the invitation of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. During this visit, he is expected to sign the long-anticipated India–United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is now on the verge of finalization after years of negotiations.
According to a report by CNN News18, the visit will also cover discussions on security cooperation and other strategic matters.
Officials involved in the FTA process have stated that the agreement could take around a year to come into full effect. In May this year, India and the UK reached a preliminary deal under which 99% of Indian exports would enjoy tariff-free access to the UK. In return, British companies would gain easier export access to India for high-value goods such as whisky, cars, and luxury products.
Amid global trade uncertainties and the Trump administration’s tariff restructuring, this agreement is seen as a significant breakthrough for both nations.
Calling the agreement a “historic milestone,” Prime Minister Modi emphasized that it would not only enhance trade but also play a major role in boosting investment, economic growth, and job creation. It is also expected to deepen the strategic partnership between India and the United Kingdom.
Modi to Visit Maldives as Chief Guest on National Day
Following his UK visit, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to travel to the Maldives on July 25, where he will attend the country’s 60th Independence Day celebrations as the chief guest.
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu extended the special invitation to Modi. This will be Modi’s first visit to the Maldives in several years, as bilateral relations had cooled due to the rise of the “India Out” movement in the island nation.
While President Muizzu’s earlier pro-China foreign policy had raised concerns in New Delhi, the current Maldivian government is making efforts to rebuild and restore ties. Modi’s visit is therefore being viewed as a fresh beginning for India-Maldives bilateral relations.
As part of India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy, this visit carries significant strategic and diplomatic importance.
Notably, Modi last visited the Maldives in June 2019, when he held bilateral talks with the then-president and discussed various areas of mutual cooperation.
