MUMBAI: India and the United Kingdom have announced a defence deal worth £350 million for the supply of new missiles, alongside agreements on critical minerals, education, and clean energy collaboration. The announcements came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer held their first bilateral meeting in Mumbai since the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in July.
The two leaders finalised an agreement for the Lightweight Multirole Missile Systems, built by Thales and named Martlet. The missiles, capable of striking targets at Mach 1.5 within a 6-km range, will be delivered to the Indian Army. They can be launched from infantry units, armoured vehicles, helicopters, and naval ships.
Modi and Starmer also signed an intergovernmental agreement to develop electrical systems for naval platforms and another pact on military training cooperation, under which Indian Air Force instructors will serve as trainers in the Royal Air Force.
In addition, both countries agreed to deepen collaboration in critical minerals and expand opportunities for UK-based universities to open campuses in India. They also announced the creation of the India-UK Offshore Wind Task Force and an Environment Technology Start-up Fund to promote innovation in green technologies and artificial intelligence.
The joint statement following the talks, however, made no mention of the recent changes in the UK’s visa rules that are expected to impact Indian citizens.
Earlier, PM Modi said India and the UK are “natural partners” and that their growing ties form an important pillar of global stability and economic growth amid global uncertainty. He said the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement signed in July would reduce import costs, create jobs, and boost trade between the two nations.
Starmer, who visited Yash Raj Studios a day earlier, also announced that three Bollywood films will be produced in the UK, underscoring the growing cultural partnership between the two nations.
Both leaders also exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific region, the situation in West Asia, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. “India supports all efforts to restore peace through dialogue and diplomacy on the Ukraine war and Gaza issues,” PM Modi said, reaffirming India’s commitment to strengthening maritime security cooperation with the UK in the Indo-Pacific.
Starmer was accompanied by a 125-member delegation comprising British business leaders and academics.
