Modi, Starmer Seal Rs 3,900-Cr Missile Pact
New Delhi: India and the UK agreed on Thursday to deepen their strategic partnership by announcing a major defense deal and new technology initiatives following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who visited Mumbai.
Both countries confirmed a government-to-government agreement to advance the initial supply of Light Multi-Purpose Missile (LMM) systems from the UK to India; The value of this deal was $468 million. They also expressed their intention to finalize an Intergovernmental Agreement on maritime electric propulsion systems for Indian naval platforms, aimed at increasing indigenous capacity under the Atmanirbhar Bharat framework.
Calling India and the UK “natural partners”, Modi said the two sides are moving towards joint defense design and production and have signed an agreement on military training cooperation, under which Indian Air Force instructors will serve with the UK Royal Air Force. Stating that the meeting coincided with the ‘Konkan 2025’ joint naval exercise, he said that both countries were committed to maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.
“India’s dynamism and the UK’s expertise together create a unique synergy. Our partnership is trusted and driven by talent and technology. And today, as Prime Minister Starmer and I stand on this stage together, it is a clear confirmation of our shared determination to work hand in hand to build a brighter future for the people of both our nations,” the Prime Minister said.
Addressing Starmer, Modi said: “Your visit to India just a few months after the signing of the agreement and the largest business delegation that has ever accompanied you symbolizes the new energy and broad vision in the India-UK partnership.” “Our relationship is built on a shared belief in values such as democracy, freedom and the rule of law. In this era of global instability, this growing partnership between India and the UK remains an important pillar of global stability and economic progress. At today’s meeting, we also exchanged views on peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, West Asia and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Ukrainian conflict and Gaza, “We also exchanged views on Indian issues.” It supports all efforts to restore peace through dialogue and diplomacy.”
The leaders also decided to establish an Industrial Guild and the Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory with a satellite campus at the Indian School of Mines in Dhanbad, and work to double bilateral trade from the current $56 billion by 2030.
Modi highlighted joint initiatives including the Climate Technology Startup Fund, Offshore Wind Task Force and Joint Artificial Intelligence Research Center and said both countries condemned the Pahalgam terror attack. He described the recently signed Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) as “historic” and said it would reduce import costs and create jobs.
Starmer praised India’s economic rise and said CETA would create high-skilled jobs in both countries by lowering tariffs and expanding market access. He also welcomed the expansion of British universities’ campuses in India, describing educational links as the “jewel in the crown” of the partnership.
Among the 12 outcomes listed from the visit, the establishment of the India-UK Connectivity and Innovation Center and the India-UK Joint Artificial Intelligence Centre, Phase II of the UK-India Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory. These include initiating phase one phase and setting up of a new satellite campus at IIT-ISM Dhanbad, setting up of Critical Minerals Industry Association to ensure resilient supply chains and promoting green technologies, submission of Letter of Intent for opening of the Campus. Lancaster University in Bengaluru, in-principle approval for the opening of the Surrey University Campus in GIFT City (Gandhinagar) and the reset of the India-UK Joint Economic Trade Committee (JETCO), which will support the implementation of CETA and stimulate economic growth and job creation in both countries, a restructured India-UK CEO forum and ICMR A Letter of Intent (LoI) for Health Research between NIHR, UK.
At the Global Fintech Festival, Modi stated that India processes 20 billion digital transactions worth Rs 25 trillion per month, describing the country’s digital success as a model of empowerment, not aid, for the Global South.
