Sir Keir Starmer has initiated the first comprehensive trade mission to India since Theresa May was prime minister, bringing along 125 UK CEOs, entrepreneurs, and university leaders to Mumbai.
The prime minister traveled on a plane with numerous prominent business figures from Britain, including executives from BA, Barclays, Standard Chartered, BT, and Rolls-Royce, for a two-day trip aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries.
Starmer is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, following the signing of the first trade deal with India since Brexit five months ago by the UK.
Although the agreement has not yet been put into effect, there are controversial proposals to exempt national insurance for employees of major Indian companies sent to the UK, which are still under discussion.
During a conversation with journalists on the plane, the prime minister expressed his determination to enhance relations between the two nations.
The timing of the trip coincides with the Conservative Party conference, with the first day of meetings overlapping with Kemi Badenoch’s address to activists in Manchester.
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However, the business delegation is expected to utilize the trip to urge the prime minister not to impose additional taxes on them in the November budget.
Sir Keir has already rejected the request of some CEOs on the trip to increase the number of visas.
«The visa situation has not changed with the free trade agreement, so we did not expand visa issuance,» he stated.
He advised business leaders not to focus on visas, emphasizing that «the issue is not about visas. It’s about business-to-business engagement, investment, and the influx of job opportunities and prosperity into the United Kingdom.»
The prime minister evaded questions concerning Mr. Modi’s support for Russian leader Vladimir Putin, whom he greeted on social media. President Donald Trump has raised tariffs on India, alleging that Indian oil purchases from Russia are aiding the conflict in Ukraine.
When asked about Mr. Modi’s birthday wishes to Mr. Putin and whether he had any influence to discuss Mr. Modi’s relationship with Russia, Sir Keir avoided the question.
«Just to clarify, I have not… sent birthday wishes to Putin, nor do I intend to,» he remarked. «I suppose that comes as no surprise. Regarding energy and efforts to curb Russian energy, our primary focus as the UK is on the shadow fleet, as we believe it is the most effective approach. We have been one of the leading countries in this regard, collaborating with other nations.»
Despite acknowledging the impact of the previous budget during his conference speech, Sir Keir declined to reassure business leaders about potential budget and tax increases.
«As I acknowledged in my conference speech and on multiple occasions, we demanded a lot from businesses in the last budget. It is important for me to acknowledge that and to mention that it helped us with economic growth and stability,» he stated. «I will refrain from commenting on the upcoming budget, as is customary; no prime minister or chancellor ever does.»
When asked if there were too many affluent individuals leaving London, he responded, «No. As you would expect, we closely monitor the figures.»
«The measures implemented in the last budget are generating a substantial amount of revenue for the government, which is being used to address issues like the NHS. We keep a close watch on the figures,» he added.