By M10News Political Desk | Mumbai | 8 October 2025
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out any relaxation of UK visa rules for India as he begins a two-day trade mission aimed at boosting economic cooperation between London and New Delhi.
Top British Executives Join Delegation
Sir Keir landed in Mumbai on Wednesday morning, accompanied by senior figures from British Airways, Barclays, Standard Chartered, BT and Rolls-Royce, marking the first major UK trade delegation to India since Theresa May’s premiership.
A Labour government is seeking to deepen post-Brexit trade relationships with key global partners, with India seen as a major growth opportunity.
Talks With Prime Minister Modi
The UK leader will hold formal talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, five months after the two nations signed their first trade accord since Brexit — an agreement still awaiting full implementation following parliamentary consultations.
Among the unresolved points are proposals to waive national insurance contributions for Indian employees working in the UK — a measure that has drawn criticism from unions and opposition MPs.
Visa Policy ‘Not Changing’
Speaking to reporters on his flight to India, Starmer dismissed speculation of an imminent visa expansion.
“The visa situation hasn’t changed with the free-trade agreement, and therefore we didn’t open up more visas,” he said.
“This trip is about investment, jobs and prosperity, not immigration.”
Several business leaders travelling with the delegation had privately urged Downing Street to consider limited visa increases to ease labour shortages in technology and engineering sectors.
Focus on Investment, Not Immigration
Starmer said the government’s priority was to encourage direct investment and bilateral partnerships.
“It’s about business-to-business engagement and prosperity coming into the UK,” he added.
Large billboards featuring the prime minister’s face were spotted across Mumbai, as Indian media highlighted the symbolism of a renewed post-Brexit partnership.
Avoiding Tension Over Russia
During the flight, Sir Keir declined to comment on Modi’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, after the Indian leader publicly wished Putin a happy birthday amid Moscow’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
“Just for the record, I haven’t sent birthday congratulations to Putin, nor am I going to do so,” Starmer told journalists. “I don’t suppose that comes as a surprise.”
UK Leading Sanctions Efforts
The prime minister emphasised that the UK remains focused on curbing Russia’s oil revenues by dismantling the so-called ‘shadow fleet’ — a network of ships used to bypass Western sanctions.
“We’ve been one of the lead countries in tackling the shadow fleet, working with partners to make sanctions effective,” he said.
Businesses Seek Budget Certainty
Executives on the trip are expected to lobby for clarity on next month’s November Budget, particularly on potential increases in corporate taxation. Starmer would not offer any assurances.
“No leader pre-empts a future budget,” he said, adding that measures from the previous fiscal package had contributed to “economic stability and growth.”
He also dismissed suggestions that wealthier residents were leaving London because of tax hikes, saying there was “no evidence of a mass exodus.”
Revenues Supporting Public Services
“We keep a careful eye on the figures, as you would expect,” the prime minister said. “The revenues from the last budget are being used to fix critical services such as the NHS.”
M10News Political Desk | Contact: politics@m10news.com
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