 "PM Modi embarks on 4-day visit to UK, Maldives. Source: X")
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (July 23) departed for a two-nation visit to the United Kingdom and the Maldives.
In the first leg of the visit, the PM will visit the UK from July 23 to 24. From there, he will fly to the Maldives before concluding his four-day trip.
PM Modi’s trips aim to boost trade and defence ties, with a major highlight being the anticipated signing of a landmark India-UK free trade agreement during his London visit.
The foreign tour comes amidst the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, which started on July 21.
In the Maldives, the PM will be the guest of honour at the nation’s Independence Day celebrations.
In the UK, he’s scheduled for in-depth discussions with Starmer and a meeting with King Charles III on July 23-24.
This marks PM Modi’s fourth UK visit since taking office.
On Thursday (July 24), Starmer will host Modi at Chequers, the British prime minister’s countryside retreat, about 50 km northwest of London. According to sources cited by news agency PTI, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his UK counterpart Jonathan Reynolds are expected to finalise the free trade agreement in the presence of both leaders.
India approves Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with UK
India’s Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved the India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), just a day before Modi’s scheduled visit to the United Kingdom.
Impact Shorts
View AllAlthough the agreement was announced on May 6, the full text was held back pending final legal review.
The trade pact, however, will only take effect once it is ratified by the British Parliament.
This marks India’s first major trade deal with a Western nation since it opted out of the China-led RCEP in 2019.
The agreement is set to boost access for Indian exports, especially in textiles and leather, while also addressing concerns over the UK’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) that could impact India’s metal exports.
In return, India will allow phased entry of high-end British cars and whisky.
The Commerce Ministry said the FTA covers almost all of India’s export interests, with tariffs eliminated on about 99% of trade lines, representing nearly the entire trade value. It aims to strengthen ties between India’s and the UK’s advanced services sectors.