Mumbai, Oct 9 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday described the India–UK partnership as an important pillar of global stability and economic progress amid global uncertainty. His remarks came after a meeting with visiting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai.
PM Modi said the two leaders discussed peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. “India supports all efforts to restore peace through dialogue and diplomacy. We are fully committed to enhancing maritime security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific,” he said.
Highlighting shared democratic values, PM Modi noted, “India and the UK are natural partners. Our growing partnership continues to serve as a strong foundation for global stability and economic progress.”
The Prime Minister praised the 1.8 million-strong Indian community in the UK as a “living bridge” between the two nations. “Their contributions to British society have strengthened friendship and cooperation between our countries. India’s dynamism and the UK’s expertise create a unique synergy driven by talent and technology,” he added.
Announcing new defence cooperation, Modi said, “We have reached an agreement on military training under which Indian Air Force flying instructors will serve as trainers in the UK’s Royal Air Force.”
He also lauded growing academic ties, announcing that nine UK universities are set to open campuses in India. “The Gurugram campus of Southampton University has already been inaugurated, and the first batch of students has enrolled,” he said.
The two leaders also decided to establish an Industry Guild and Supply Chain Observatory for collaboration on critical minerals, with a satellite campus at ISM Dhanbad.
Modi hailed the “new energy” in bilateral ties following the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) earlier this year.
