Modi, Starmer upbeat about free trade deal boosting investments, trade, employment
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer have expressed confidence that the India-UK Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) would significantly boost trade, investment and employment in both countries and said they looked forward to its early ratification.
As many as 64 Indian investors have agreed to collectively investing £1.3 billion into some of Britain’s most thriving businesses creating nearly 7,000 jobs — demonstrating the impact the UK-India trade deal is already having on investor confidence, per an earlier statement issued by the UK government.
Key pacts
Key outcomes of Starmer’s two-day visit to India include resetting the India-UK Joint Economic Trade Committee (JETCO) that will support implementation of the CETA, agreement to proceed via government to government route. This is to facilitate an initial supply of Lightweight Multirole Missile systems to further support India’s air defence capabilities. The two also agreed on a new joint investment in the Climate Technology Startup Fund for entrepreneurs in sectors such as climate technology and AI, two agreements on opening of campuses of UK universities in India and promoting cooperation in critical minerals supply, development of AI and connectivity and innovation.
“When we leave India tonight, I expect that we will have secured major new investments creating thousands of high-skilled jobs in the sectors of the future,” Starmer said in his press statement following the bilateral meeting with Modi on Thursday.
Modi expressed hopes that the trade deal would help meet targets before time. “Today, our bilateral trade stands at around $56 billion dollars. We have set a target to double this by 2030 — and I am confident that we can achieve it even before the deadline. India today offers policy stability, predictable regulation, and large-scale demand,” Modi said at the India-UK CEO Forum.
The British PM’s 126-member strong business delegation demonstrated opportunities for investments in focus sectors of construction, infrastructure and clean energy, advanced manufacturing, defence, education, sport, culture, financial and professional business services, science, technology and innovation, consumer goods and food, per the Ministry of External Affairs.
Published on October 9, 2025