In a significant diplomatic achievement, Keir Starmer, the outgoing British Prime Minister, successfully completed the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) just before announcing his resignation. The agreement, which had been eagerly anticipated, was finalized during a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G7 Summit in 2026. Both leaders set July 15 as the implementation date for the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which aims to enhance the already substantial £48 billion annual trade between the two nations.
Throughout his tenure, Starmer prioritized strengthening ties with India, identifying the trade deal as a central goal of his administration. He emphasized the potential economic benefits from the agreement, acknowledging India’s growing influence on the global economic stage and the advantages of streamlined, cost-effective trade between the UK and India. His leadership saw a concerted effort to engage with the British Indian community and foster stronger bilateral relations.
Starmer, who initially rose to prominence through a distinguished legal career and role as Director of Public Prosecutions, took over as Labour leader after the party’s defeat in the 2019 elections. He became Prime Minister following Labour’s sweeping victory in 2024. Under his guidance, the Labour government pledged to expand cooperation with India across various domains, including trade, security, education, technology, and climate change initiatives.
Despite early successes in stabilizing the economy and implementing domestic reforms, Starmer’s position weakened due to a series of policy challenges and political setbacks. In his heartfelt resignation speech, he acknowledged that his parliamentary colleagues no longer saw him as the leader to guide Labour into the next general election. Expressing respect and gratitude, Starmer accepted their decision, marking the end of an important era in British politics.