UK and India: PM Keir Starmer’s visit and the Recalibration of Economic, Strategic, and Cultural ties

CWA # 1912

State of Global Politics 2025

UK and India: PM Keir Starmer’s visit and the Recalibration of Economic, Strategic, and Cultural ties

The World This Week #338, Vol 7, No 52, 31 December 2025

Lekshmi MK
31 December 2025

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What happened?
From 08-09 October, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited India, following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UK in July 2025.

On 08 October, PM Starmer visited Mumbai, where the focus was on strengthening cultural ties between the two countries.

On 09 October, in New Delhi, both leaders issued a joint statement emphasising cooperation in three key areas, including economic and trade relations, defence and security, and cultural engagement, while also addressing other aspects of bilateral partnership. On economy and trade, the joint statement focuses on the operationalisation of the recently signed Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). On defence and security, the joint statement focuses on the development of domestic defence capabilities under India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative. On cultural engagement, the joint statement underscores the importance of soft power, educational and cultural exchanges, diaspora engagement, and cooperation in talent mobility.

What is the background?
First, the increasing focus on economic and trade relations. In July 2025, India and the UK signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) during PM Modi’s visit to London. This agreement provided a timely platform to operationalise economic cooperation. Both countries aim to diversify supply chains in the post-COVID and post-Brexit context. For the UK, India represents a large and rapidly growing market, while India views the UK as a source of investment, advanced technology, and access to international financial markets. Joint collaboration in infrastructure and clean energy projects could support India’s development objectives, while cooperation in aviation and aerospace could strengthen connectivity, facilitate trade, and promote strategic industrial growth, benefiting both economies.

Second, growing alignment on defence and security. India’s push for “Atmanirbhar Bharat” require partnerships to strengthen its domestic defence capabilities. The UK seeks collaboration with India to enhance its strategic presence in Asia and access emerging defence markets. Both countries share concerns over terrorism, violent extremism, and maritime security, highlighting the need for coordinated international cooperation. For both countries, Indo-Pacific is also a focus area. Existing frameworks, including defence industrial roadmaps and Vision 2035, provides the foundation to operationalise initiatives in joint military exercises, technology sharing, and defence industrial collaboration, strengthening bilateral security ties.

Third, expanding cultural engagement. Soft power plays a central role in strengthening long-term India-UK relations. Educational and cultural exchanges foster mutual trust and understanding; establishing UK campuses in India deepens institutional ties. Growing global mobility made cooperation on student, professional, and labour migration increasingly important. Collaborative initiatives in arts, sports, and academic research reinforce people-to-people connections, ensuring that cultural engagement complementing economic and strategic cooperation, creating a holistic framework for bilateral partnership.

Fourth, the bilateral consolidation amidst global tensions and realignments. The India-UK discussions are taking place against a backdrop of global trade disruptions, including ongoing US-India tariff tensions and negotiations between India and the EU. These developments highlight the need for India to diversify its economic partnerships and secure stable trade and investment channels. For the UK, strengthening ties with India offers opportunities to expand its influence in Asia and access a rapidly growing market amid post-Brexit adjustments. Enhanced bilateral engagement allows both countries to navigate these global uncertainties, align on trade and investment priorities, and create a more resilient framework for long-term economic and strategic cooperation.

What does it mean?
First, trade diversification. The visit and the joint statement signal the intent to diversify and strengthen trade flows amid global uncertainties. For India, this helps channel trade and investment strategically amid disruptions in US-India relations and ongoing India-EU negotiations. For the UK, post-Brexit priorities include securing access to fast-growing markets like India and establishing reliable economic partnerships in Asia.

Second, the focus on defence and security. The India-UK cooperation strengthens the ability to respond to regional challenges in the Indo-Pacific, including strategic competition and maritime security. Joint aviation projects and coordinated security initiatives reflect practical, operational collaboration, marking a shift from dialogue to action in defence and security.

Third, cultural engagement as a strategic tool. By connecting with local communities, education institutions, and creative sectors like the film industry, the UK can strengthen people-to-people ties and foster mutual trust. For India, such initiatives enhance knowledge exchange, talent mobility, and global visibility. The visit to Mumbai highlights the importance of soft power in diplomacy-building goodwill, shaping perceptions, and supporting broader economic and strategic cooperation. Cultural collaboration thus complements trade and security ties, ensuring that the bilateral relationship remains multidimensional, sustainable, and resilient over the long term.

About the author
Lekshmi MK is a Postgraduate student from Madras Christian College, Chennai.

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