No visa deal with India: UK PM Keir Starmer aims to enhance trade ties during his visit to South Asian country

Starmer, joined by a delegation of over 100 people from the business, culture and other sectors, arrived in India on Wednesday on his first visit to the South Asian nation.

Starmer said the recently signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India will be focussed during his visit.

Trade and investment will be the sole priority, hinted the UK PM.

When asked about the visa deal, Starmer said as quoted by India Today, "That isn’t part of the plans."

"Businesses are taking advantage of the deal. But the issue is not about visas," he added.

Visiting India for two days, Starmer was received by Governor of Maharashtra and Gujarat Acharya Devvrat in Mumbai.

Indian PM Narendra Modi will visit Mumbai on October 8-9, where he will meet his British counterpart  Keir Starmer and take stock of progress in diverse aspects of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in line with ‘Vision 2035’.

The vision will be a focused and time-bound 10-year Roadmap of programmes and initiatives in key pillars of trade and investment, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate and energy, health, education and people-to-people relations.

Both leaders will engage with businesses and industry leaders on opportunities presented by the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) as a central pillar of the future India–UK economic partnership, read a government statement.

They will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance.

The leaders will also engage with industry experts, policymakers and innovators.

Modi and Starmer will also participate in  the 6th edition of the Global Fintech Fest at Jio World Centre, Mumbai and deliver keynote addresses on the occasion.

Global Fintech Fest 2025 will bring together innovators, policymakers, central bankers, regulators, investors, academicians, and industry leaders from around the world.

The conference’s central theme, ‘Empowering Finance for a Better World’ – Powered by AI, Augmented Intelligence, Innovation, and Inclusion, highlights the convergence of technology and human insight in shaping an ethical and sustainable financial future.

This year’s edition is expected to attract a footfall of over 100,000 participants from more than 75 countries, making it one of the world’s largest fintech gatherings.

The event will feature participation from around 7,500 companies, 800 speakers, 400 exhibitors, and 70 regulators representing both Indian and international jurisdictions.

Among the participating international institutions are renowned regulators such as the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Deutsche Bundesbank of Germany, Banque de France, and the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).

Their participation underscores GFF’s growing stature as a global forum for financial policy dialogue and cooperation.