Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for the United Kingdom on Wednesday as part of a two-nation visit that will also take him to the Maldives later this week. His UK visit, scheduled for 23–24 July, aims to strengthen bilateral ties, with the signing of the long-awaited India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a key highlight.

Under negotiation for three years, the FTA is expected to eliminate tariffs on 99% of Indian exports to the UK and reduce tariffs on 90% of British goods. It is projected to double bilateral trade by 2030 from the current USD 60 billion and boost British exports such as whisky and cars to India.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, PM Modi will hold wide-ranging discussions with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the full spectrum of bilateral relations, as well as regional and global issues. He is also expected to meet King Charles III.

India and the UK will review cooperation in defence, climate, innovation, education, and technology, including collaboration in artificial intelligence and semiconductors. PM Modi is likely to raise concerns about Khalistani extremists in the UK. 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.”