This is your PM in the cockpit: Keir Starmer leads UK's biggest trade mission to India

UPDATED: Oct 8, 2025 07:18 IST

“This is your Prime Minister in the cockpit” No, it wasn’t an air-safety announcement — it was Keir Starmer himself, greeting passengers on British Airways Flight 9100 to Mumbai as he piloted the UK’s largest-ever trade mission to India.

“It’s really fantastic to have you all onboard,” Starmer said cheerfully over the intercom, in a clip he later shared on Instagram. “This is the biggest trade mission to India that the UK has ever sent. I’m looking forward to working with you as we explore all the opportunities in our new free trade agreement.”

With more than 125 business leaders and executives on board, Starmer’s mid-air message wasn’t just about cabin camaraderie — it was a symbolic take-off for what London hopes will be a major economic partnership with New Delhi.

The two-day visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will see both leaders take stock of the progress made across all aspects of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in line with “Vision 2035” -- a 10-year roadmap agreed alongside the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in July to build on the key pillars of the partnership.

The focus of the Modi-Starmer bilateral talks will be on the opportunities presented by the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), as the FTA is known, which is set to remove tariffs on over 90 per cent of goods once it is ratified by the UK Parliament.

“The UK prime minister’s visit to India comes at a pivotal moment in the evolution of our bilateral relationship, defined increasingly by partnership, shared prosperity, and mutual respect,” said Richard Heald, who is part of the prime ministerial delegation.

“The UK-India corridor stands as one of the most promising economic relationships globally, and we look forward to supporting its continued growth - grounded in innovation, opportunity, and mutual ambition,” said Heald, Chair of the UK India Business Council (UKIBC), who is also set to address a session on Indian entry strategies for UK small and medium enterprises.

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