The prime minister is on a two day visit to India, where he aims to promote the advantages of a newly established trade agreement<\/p>\n
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said that Britain will not ease visa regulations for Indian citizens seeking to work in the UK.
\nSpeaking to reporters on the way to Mumbai, he said visas \u201cplayed no part\u201d in a trade deal that the UK and India signed in July.
\n\u201cThe issue is not about visas,\u201d Starmer told reporters. \u201cIt\u2019s about business to business engagement and investment and jobs and prosperity coming into the United Kingdom.\u201d
\nStarmer, who arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday for a two-day bilateral visit, is leading a delegation of over 100 business leaders, cultural figures, and university heads, with the aim of increasing investment in Britain and stimulate the sluggish economy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Starmer the Stamp Stopper: \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 PM Says No Visa Relaxation for IndiaHe shut down talks on more visa routes to Indian workers or students, stating that the recently signed trade deal was “about business-to-business engagement, investment, and jobs and prosperity coming into the\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/T3AXFGEdGC pic.twitter.com\/vR7OO8H2Z4\u2014 RT_India (@RT_India_news) October 8, 2025 <\/p>\n
The multibillion-dollar free trade agreement was signed in July between India and the UK after years of negotiations. British products such as gin and whisky, electrical and medical devices, cosmetics, chocolate, and luxury cars will now be cheaper in India.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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The agreement is expected to boost India\u2019s service sector, including information technology and IT-enabled services. It includes a three-year exemption on social security paid by Indian citizens working in the UK on short-term visas.
\nAsked by reporters whether the UK might consider trying to attract tech entrepreneurs from India, Starmer said the country wants to attract \u201ctop talent\u201d from across the globe to help grow the economy, though he has repeatedly said there are no plans for new visa routes to India, according to the BBC.
\nTotal trade between the UK and India stood at $57.7 billion in 2024, according to UK Trade and Investment data.
\nIndia is currently negotiating a similar agreement with the US as it faces a 50% tariffs on most exports to the country.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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