UK’s Biggest Trade Mission To India Takes Off, Starmer Greets Passengers Mid-Air

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<p class=”pf0″><span class=”cf0″>In an unusual mid-air announcement, UK Labour leader Keir </span><span class=”cf0″>Starmer</span><span class=”cf0″> greeted passengers aboard British Airways Flight 9100 to Mumbai, calling out, &ldquo;This is your Prime Minister in the cockpit.&rdquo;</span></p>
<p class=”pf0″><span class=”cf0″>The announcement, shared later on </span><span class=”cf0″>Starmer&rsquo;s</span><span class=”cf0″> Instagram, was a symbolic start to the UK&rsquo;s largest-ever trade mission to India, highlighting the growing economic partnership between London and New Delhi.</span></p>
<p class=”pf0″><span class=”cf0″>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s really fantastic to have you all onboard. This is the biggest trade mission to India that the UK has ever sent. I&rsquo;m looking forward to working with you as we explore all the opportunities in our new free trade agreement,&rdquo; </span><span class=”cf0″>Starmer</span><span class=”cf0″> said cheerfully over the intercom.</span></p>
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<p class=”pf0″><span class=”cf0″>With more than 125 business leaders and executives on board, the flight represented not just a physical journey but a take-off for what the UK hopes will be a long-term, mutually beneficial economic partnership with India.</span></p>
<h2 class=”pf0″><strong><span class=”cf0″>Focus on India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership</span></strong></h2>
<p class=”pf0″><span class=”cf0″>The two-day visit, extended at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to assess progress on the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the recently agreed India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The visit also aligns with Vision 2035, a 10-year roadmap intended to strengthen bilateral ties.</span></p>
<p class=”pf0″><span class=”cf0″>The talks will center on opportunities presented by the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Once ratified by the UK Parliament, the FTA is expected to remove tariffs on over 90 percent of goods traded between the two nations.</span></p>
<h2 class=”pf0″><strong><span class=”cf0″>UKIBC Highlights Potential Growth</span></strong></h2>
<p class=”pf0″><span class=”cf0″>Richard Heald, part of the prime ministerial delegation and Chair of the UK India Business Council (UKIBC), emphasized the significance of the visit.</span></p>
<p class=”pf0″><span class=”cf0″>&ldquo;The UK prime minister&rsquo;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,&rdquo; he said.</span></p>
<p class=”pf0″><span class=”cf0″>Heald also highlighted the potential for UK small and medium enterprises in India, stating, </span><span class=”cf0″>&ldquo;The UK-India corridor stands as one of the most promising economic relationships globally, and we look forward to supporting its continued growth </span><span class=”cf1″>&ndash; grounded in innovation, opportunity, and mutual ambition.&rdquo;</span></p>
<p class=”pf0″><span class=”cf1″>The trade mission is expected to pave the way for deeper collaboration in areas ranging from technology and innovation to commerce and infrastructure, reinforcing the UK and India as strategic partners on the global stage.</span></p>
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