No visa deal with India, says Keir Starmer as UK looks to boost trade ties

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has ruled out any visa deal with India as he begins a two-day visit aimed at turning the new trade pact into concrete economic gains. He said visas would not be part of the discussions during his trip.

Speaking to reporters, Starmer said the UK’s recently signed free trade agreement (FTA) with India would remain focused purely on trade and investment.

"That isn’t part of the plans," he said when asked about expanding visa access, adding that the visit was to take advantage of the free trade agreement that we’ve already struck.

"Businesses are taking advantage of the deal. But the issue is not about visas," Starmer said, stressing that Britain’s immigration policies would stay firm.

Starmer’s response also flags domestic political pressures in UK. His Labour Party is facing competition from the populist Reform UK party. The British prime minister is treading carefully on immigration, which is at the focal point after the protests in the UK.

He insisted that while Britain seeks top talent from around the world, there are no plans to open a new route for Indian tech professionals after US tighteed its H-1B visa regime under President Donald Trump.

On deportation and security cooperation, Starmer dismissed concerns about India, calling it a "non-issue" since the two countries already have a returns agreement in place.

"We are looking at whether there should be a link between visas and returns agreements," he said.

"It’s not just a piece of paper, it’s a launchpad for growth," Starmer said, noting that India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2028. "The opportunities waiting to be seized are unparalleled."

TRADE TAKES CENTER STAGE

Starmer is leading a delegation of more than 100 British business, cultural, and academic leaders. The group includes representatives from BP, Rolls-Royce, BT, Diageo, and the Scotch Whisky Association.

The free trade agreement, signed in July after three years of negotiations cuts tariffs on goods such as textiles, cars, and whisky. It is expected to increase UK-India trade by at least 25.5 billion ($34 billion) by 2040, according to Reuters.

British firms are already expanding their India footprint. British Airways plans to add a third daily flight between London and Delhi in 2026, while Manchester Airport is launching a direct route with IndiGo. The whisky industry, too, stands to gain -- India’s steep import tariffs on Scotch will gradually drop from 150 per cent to 40 per cent over the next decade.

Starmer will hold formal talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, with both leaders expected to discuss the timeline for ratifying and implementing the trade agreement next year.

- Ends

With inputs from agencies

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