New Delhi |Oct 11, 2025 | BeyondborBersbyJwala
In a significant display of diplomatic convergence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart, Keir Starmer, today jointly advocated for a "two-state solution" to the Israel-Palestine conflict, alongside expressing strong support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent peace initiative for Gaza. The joint call emerged from comprehensive talks in Mumbai, where leaders also celebrated the historic Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), solidifying a renewed strategic partnership between India and the United Kingdom.
Prime Minister Modi also separately engaged with U.S. President Trump, congratulating him on the Gaza peace plan, as confirmed by his post on 'X'. "Spoke to my friend, President Trump and congratulated him on the success of the historic Gaza peace plan," PM Modi tweeted, also noting "good progress achieved in trade negotiations" and agreeing to remain in "close touch."
Unified Front on Global Challenges
The joint statement highlighted a shared vision for global stability, with both Prime Ministers supporting "an immediate and lasting ceasefire, the release of the hostages and the delivery of humanitarian aid, and their shared commitment to a lasting and just peace as a step towards a Two-State solution, with a safe and secure Israel, alongside a viable Palestinian state."
Addressing the conflict in Ukraine, both leaders called for "a just and lasting peace," reinforcing India's consistent stance on resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomacy. PM Modi reiterated that the India-UK partnership, built on shared values of democracy and the rule of law, serves as a "vital pillar of global stability and economic progress" in today’s turbulent international landscape.
The discussions also touched upon enhancing "maritime security cooperation" in the Indo-Pacific region, a critical area for India's strategic interests.
CETA: A Landmark Economic Breakthrough
A central theme of the visit was the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Prime Minister Modi hailed CETA as "historic," emphasizing its potential to "reduce import costs, create new employment opportunities for youth, boost trade, and benefit both industries and consumers." UK Prime Minister Starmer echoed this sentiment, calling CETA a "breakthrough" moment.
The presence of the "largest-ever business delegation" accompanying PM Starmer underscored the enthusiasm for the economic opportunities CETA presents. The visit also saw the signing of Terms of Reference to reposition the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), which Union Minister Piyush Goyal termed a "game-changer" for strategic engagement and trade enhancement.
Strategic Collaborations: Tech, Defence, and People
The leaders reviewed a host of bilateral initiatives designed to deepen cooperation:
Technology Security Initiative: A platform for joint research and innovation in critical technologies, fostering a bridge between the youth of both nations.
Innovation Hubs: Establishment of the Connectivity and Innovation Centre and the Joint AI Research Centre.
Critical Minerals: An Industry Guild and Supply Chain Observatory for cooperation, with a satellite campus at ISM Dhanbad, reinforcing supply chain resilience.
Climate Action: Formation of the India-UK Offshore Wind Taskforce and the Climate Technology Startup Fund, supporting innovators in climate, technology, and AI.
Defence Cooperation: Advancing towards defence co-production and military training collaboration, exemplified by Indian Air Force Flying Instructors training with the UK’s Royal Air Force. The ongoing joint naval exercise "Konkan 2025" in Mumbai's waters further highlighted robust defence ties.
Education: Expansion of UK university campuses in India, with Southampton University's Gurugram campus already operational and three more planned for GIFT City.
Affirming Shared Values and Ties
Both leaders stressed the importance of cooperation within the Commonwealth framework, particularly on "climate change, sustainable development, and youth engagement." They reiterated a shared commitment to "global peace, prosperity and rules-based international order."
The discussions also addressed the Migration and Mobility Partnership, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri underscoring India’s commitment to streamlining migration and condemning illegal immigration. Both Prime Ministers condemned recent terror attacks in their respective countries, with PM Starmer condemning the April 22 Pahalgam attack and PM Modi condemning the attack outside a synagogue in Manchester.
Prime Minister Modi concluded by asserting that the "India-UK friendship is on the move and is filled with great vigour," a sentiment reinforced by the comprehensive outcomes of PM Starmer’s impactful first visit to India.
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