PM Modi UK Visit Live Updates: PM Modi gifts tree sapling to King Charles III - 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' takes root in UK

"This afternoon, The King received the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, @NarendraModi,at Sandringham House. During their time together, His Majesty was given a tree to be planted this Autumn, inspired by the environmental initiative launched by the Prime Minister, “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, which encourages people to plant a tree in tribute to their mothers," the Royal Family said in a post on X.

Tariffs on automobiles will see a big reduction from over 100% to 10%. This is subject to quota restrictions.

"We are meeting for the third time this year. I consider this very significant. UK and India are natural partners. Today marks a historic day in our relations. Our two nations are signing FTA and Double Contribution Convention. This will pave a very strong path for the future generations of India and the UK. This is adding a new chapter in business and trade," said PM Modi in the bilateral meeting with UK PM Keir Starmer.

Traditional Indian items such as turmeric, pepper, cardamom, as well as processed goods like mango pulp, pickles, and pulses, are likely to see improved margins and wider international reach under the new trade framework.

The elimination of duties on over 95% of India's agricultural and processed food items will drive this growth once the agreement takes effect.

Joint press briefing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart Keir Starmer ends.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and invited UK PM Keir Starmer to visit India

"For both of us, cricket is not a game but a passion and also a great metaphor for our partnership. There may be swing and a miss at times, but we play with a straight bat. We are committed to building high-sourcing and solid partnerships," says Modi.

"We support early restoration of peace and stability'", PM Modi said, referring to the Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts in the Middle East.

"There's no place for a double standard in the fight against terrorism. "Those who misuse democratic freedom to undermine democracy itself must be held accountable," says PM Modi.

In education, both nations together are writing a new chapter. Six universities to open campuses in India. Last week in Gurugram, South Hampton University was opened.

This deal will support global stability and global prosperity, says PM Modi.

The deal is a blueprint for shared prosperity. This agreement will be beneficial to youth, farmers, MSEME sectors in India, said PM Modi.

After the hard work of many years, economic cooperation has materialised between the nations, PM Modi said.

"It is a deal that will bring huge benefits to both of our countries, boosting wages, raising living standards and putting more money in the pockets of working people. It is good for jobs, it is good for business, putting tariffs and making trade cheaper, quicker and easier," Starmer said.

"As we have discussed, this is not the extent of the limit for our collaboration with India. We have a unique bond of culture and history.. I am delighted that we are building on the India-UK vision 2035," says UK PM Keir Starmer.

Business leaders and industry experts operating within the India-UK corridor on Thursday expressed enthusiasm around the FTA signed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart, Keir Starmer, significantly cutting tariff lines and regulatory processes across sectors.

While Starmer dubbed the deal as a “major win” for British companies, many expressed excitement at the prospects of a greater flow of goods and services that it would facilitate and present consumers with a greater choice of cheaper offers. (PTI)

India's average tariff on UK products will drop from 15 per cent to 3 per cent under the India-UK FTA, a British government statement had said just ahead of the scheduled signing ceremony.

The UK statement asserted that British companies selling products to India -- from soft drinks and cosmetics to cars and medical devices -- will find it easier to sell to the Indian market.

Further, British whisky producers will benefit from tariffs slashed in half, reduced immediately from 150 per cent to 75 per cent and then dropped even further to 40 per cent over the next ten years - giving the UK an advantage over international competitors in reaching the Indian market, the UK statement noted.

After PM Modi and UK PM Keir Starmer met, India and the UK signed the Free Trade Agreement.

Free Trade Agreement

The Prime Minister will meet his counterpart Keir Starmer and other key leaders to discuss several issues, including the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries.

Extradition of Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi, and Vijay Mallya

According to foreign secretary Vikram Misri, PM Modi will push for the extradition of Vijay Mallya, Lalit Modi, and Nirav Modi — all of whom face financial charges in India and are currently residing in the UK.


Presence of Khalistani groups

The foreign secretary said the Prime Minister will also raise the issue of the presence of Khalistani groups. India has flagged this concern with British officials in the past and will continue to do so. Misri said that this issue affects not only India but also social stability in the UK.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the UK on Thursday to sign the landmark UK-India trade deal, which will boost bilateral trade by £25.5bn every year, as per an official statement from the British High Commission.

The statement noted that the deal promises to unlock thousands of jobs and boost growth across both economies. During the visit of PM Modi, the leaders will unveil their vision for a modern, reinvigorated partnership over the next decade- The UK-India Vision 2035, a renewed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership--taking the relationship to new heights in a time of rapid global change.

The trade deal, which is forecast to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion yearly, is both India's most comprehensive deal ever, and the UK's most economically significant bilateral trade deal since leaving the EU. It significantly improves market access for businesses in both countries, leading to cheaper products and services for consumers, the statement said.

It also observed that the UK and India's ambitious new vision for 2035 will go beyond trade, with reinvigorated mutual commitment to drive prosperity and innovation, deepen defence cooperation through a new Defence Industrial roadmap, work together to secure our borders, tackle climate change and nurture educational connections.

Marking exactly one year since the countries signed the landmark UK-India Technology Security Initiative, the Prime Ministers will also commit to further strengthen national security by harnessing frontier technologies and shaping the technologies of tomorrow.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to the United Kingdom, an old incident of his 'UK diaspora connect' has come to light, where he made special efforts to thank the people of Indian origin in Britain for the assistance they extended to Gujarat, particularly Bhuj, hit by one of the worst earthquakes in 2001.

In January 2001, Gujarat's Bhuj town was struck by a devastating earthquake of 6.9 magnitude, claiming thousands of lives.

The instance of PM Modi's "thanksgiving" to the Indian diaspora in the UK has been shared by Modi Archive, a popular social media handle on X.

Narrating the devastation and rehabilitation of Bhuj post-quake, it says that in August 2003, two years after the Bhuj earthquake shook Gujarat, the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to the United Kingdom with a special message for the diaspora - "You are all the real friends of Gujarat".

The visit, which was primarily for thanking the Indian diaspora, saw CM Modi addressing thousands of Indians who had mobilised support, aid, and resources for Gujarat during the 2001 earthquake.

"I just met the PM. He walked past us. It was a surreal moment. I got to shake my hand. He is so dynamic... It was an amazing experience. The enthusiasm and energy of the people around here is on another level," says an Indian diaspora member.

"Landed in London. This visit will go a long way in advancing the economic partnership between our nations. The focus will be on furthering prosperity, growth and boosting job creation for our people. A strong India-UK friendship is essential for global progress," tweets PM Narendra Modi after arriving in British capital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in London, United Kingdom. He is on an official visit to the United Kingdom from 23–24 July.

Former foreign minister of Maldives, Abdulla Shahid, noted that India has always been the first responder to Maldives because Indians have a generous heart.

Shahid, while talking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Maldives on July 25-26, said that the rise in aid from India shows its maturity and generosity.

"The relationship between Maldives and India has always demonstrated that India is the first responder. Whenever we dial the international line, India responds first. It is for many reasons. First and foremost, because Indian people have a big heart and they are always ready to assist Maldives in the neighbourhood, they are most generous," he said.

He said that despite the tensions, India decided with maturity that no matter what, the relationship between the people of Maldives and India should not change.

Diaspora groups in the UK have geared up for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in the UK on Wednesday evening for a “historic” visit that centres around the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and refresh of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Modi is set to be greeted by cheering groups of community leaders, students and parliamentarians gathered in anticipation on the outskirts of London. They expressed excitement around the FTA that is expected to be signed during the bilateral discussions between PM Modi and British PM Keir Starmer on Thursday.

"During my meeting with Prime Minister Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer, we will have the opportunity to further enhance our economic partnership, aimed at fostering prosperity, growth and job creation in both countries," Modi said in his departure statement earlier on Wednesday.

The Indian diaspora, comprising 2.7% of the UK’s population, plays a vital role in shaping bilateral relations. This “living bridge” has contributed significantly to British society and the UK economy while deepening cultural and economic cooperation. The upcoming FTA is also expected to positively impact Indian professionals and students.

Education and healthcare are among key focus areas in the evolving relationship. Foreign Secretary Misri said people-to-people contacts form a “key pillar of growth.” Mahesh Sachdev highlighted the historical roots of the India-UK connection, going back five centuries. He said, “We are at a different time... independent and strong... to enable both sides to reap early harvests of economic integration.”

As both governments push to finalise the FTA, ties across multiple sectors—defence, trade, science, and cultural exchange—are expected to deepen, marking a new chapter in the long-standing India-UK relationship.

Following his UK visit, PM Modi will head to the Maldives from July 25–26 at the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu. He will attend the 60th Independence Day celebrations as Guest of Honour.

The visit is significant as it marks the 60th anniversary of India-Maldives diplomatic ties. Former Maldivian Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon said, “India was one of the first countries to provide assistance” during the 1988 coup attempt, tsunami, and COVID-19 crisis. She stressed India’s leadership in the Indian Ocean Region, saying, “India has a responsibility for maintaining peace and security.”

Tourism remains a cornerstone of Maldives’ economy, and Maumoon welcomed the growing number of Indian visitors. Despite diplomatic strains in 2023, she urged a return to “warm ties,” noting the importance of cultural and medical exchanges. This will be Modi’s third visit to the Maldives, and the first by a head of state during Muizzu’s presidency.

India-UK relations, once rooted in colonial history, have evolved into a “robust, multi-faceted” partnership. Mahesh Sachdev noted, “India overtook Britain as the world's 5th largest economy three years ago,” adding that the UK is now keen to anchor its post-Brexit trade around dynamic economies like India.

He said, “India's profile matches what the UK wishes to have as a big market,” while India looks to Britain as “a source of technology and transit goods.”

Sachdev also observed that this treaty could recalibrate Britain’s “whimsical” foreign policy tendencies. “Such a large agreement... would anchor UK's policies towards India,” he said. With five ministerial-level dialogues and increasing collaboration in AI, defence, and semiconductors, bilateral cooperation has deepened. Bilateral trade reached a record USD 55 billion in 2024, up 10% from the previous year, and the FTA is expected to supercharge future economic engagement between the two nations.

New Delhi is expected to raise the issue of Khalistani extremists operating from UK soil—a long-standing concern for India. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, “The issue of the presence of Khalistani extremists, bodies close to these people, is something that we have brought to the attention of our partners in the UK.”

He added, “We will continue to do so. This is a matter of concern not only to us but should be a matter of concern to our partners as well.” On the extradition of fugitives from the UK, Misri said the process is ongoing. “We have continued to make the case for these fugitives to be rendered to India. There is a legal process that such requests go through in the other country,” he said, noting that India is working “very closely” with British authorities. The two sides are expected to discuss legal cooperation further during the visit.

During his two-day stay, PM Modi will meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for “wide-ranging discussions” on bilateral, regional and global issues. He is also scheduled to call on King Charles III.

The ministry of external affairs said the visit builds on frequent high-level engagement between the two countries. Modi and Starmer have already met twice—in Brazil during the G20 Summit and again at the G7 in June 2025—and held multiple phone conversations.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri described areas like “business, technology, research, education, innovation and the knowledge economy” as emerging pillars of cooperation. With the FTA nearly finalised, Doraiswami said it’s “a good time for the relationship.”

He also praised the Commerce Ministry’s work, calling the FTA “a significant milestone.” The visit marks the latest step in deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership formed in 2021, which now encompasses trade, defence, security, climate, and people-to-people ties.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for the United Kingdom on Wednesday, kicking off a two-nation visit that will include the Maldives. His UK stop, from July 23–24, is expected to culminate in the signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a deal three years in the making.

The FTA promises to eliminate tariffs on 99% of Indian exports and slash tariffs on 90% of British goods. The pact is projected to double bilateral trade by 2030, which currently stands at USD 60 billion. British whisky and cars are among the key exports set to benefit.

Former diplomat Mahesh Sachdev called the FTA the “seminal point of the visit,” noting it would remove “high tariffs or other restrictions” and boost services trade. Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami confirmed that “substantive negotiations” ended in May and “scrubbing work is underway,” paving the way for signing and implementation.