This is PM Modi’s fourth visit to the UK since he became Prime Minister. His earlier visits were in 2015, 2018, and 2021 (for the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached London on Wednesday evening for a two-day trip to the United Kingdom. He said that building a strong bond between India and the UK is important for the world’s development. “I have landed in London. This visit will help make the economic ties between our countries even stronger. The main aim is to support growth, create more jobs, and bring more prosperity to our people. A close friendship between India and the UK is very important for the progress of the world,” on social media platform X.
PM Modi was welcomed at the airport by Catherine West, the UK Minister looking after the Indo-Pacific region, along with India’s High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, and the UK’s High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron.
Landed in London.
This visit will go a long way in advancing the economic partnership between our nations. The focus will be on furthering prosperity, growth and boosting job creation for our people.
A strong India-UK friendship is essential for global progress. pic.twitter.com/HWoXAE9dyp
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2025
As he arrived, groups of community leaders, students, and members of the UK Parliament gathered near London to greet him with excitement and warm wishes.
Touched by the warm welcome from the Indian community in the UK. Their affection and passion towards India’s progress is truly heartening. pic.twitter.com/YRdLcNTWSS
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2025
“It’s a proud moment for both countries, and especially for Indians living in the UK. Everyone is very happy to see the Prime Minister here after a long time. Even though it’s a short visit, we’re glad we got the chance to welcome him,” said Kuldeep Shekhawat, head of the Overseas Friends of BJP, while speaking to news agency PTI.
What’s on agenda?
During his two-day trip to the UK, PM Modi will hold important talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and also meet King Charles III. Starmer will host him at Chequers, his official country house located just outside London.
A major highlight of the visit is expected to be the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and steps to strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
In a statement before leaving India, PM Modi said, “Our cooperation covers many areas such as trade, investment, technology, defence, education, health, research, environment, and strong connections between our people.”
The two leaders are expected to focus mainly on boosting economic ties. Their goal is to support growth, create more jobs, and make trade easier between the two countries. As part of the trade deal, both sides are working to lower or remove taxes on goods they import and export, making products from India and the UK more affordable and competitive. They aim to raise two-way trade to USD 120 billion by 2030.
In 2023–24, trade between India and the UK crossed USD 55 billion. The UK is currently India’s sixth-biggest investor, having put in around USD 36 billion. Nearly 1,000 Indian companies in the UK employ about 1,00,000 people. Meanwhile, Indian businesses have invested nearly USD 20 billion in the UK.
This is PM Modi’s fourth visit to the UK since he became Prime Minister. His earlier visits were in 2015, 2018, and 2021 (for the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow). Over the last year, he has also met PM Starmer twice—once at the G20 summit in Rio and again at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, in June.
