New Delhi: India and Britain have announced a deal worth 350 million pounds for new missiles. Apart from this, cooperation in key minerals and opening more campuses of UK-based universities in India have also been agreed upon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer held a bilateral meeting in Mumbai, the first since the signing of the free trade agreement in July.
Starmer, who had visited Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai a day earlier, also announced the production of three Bollywood films in Britain. The joint statement issued after the meeting between the two leaders did not say anything about the recent changes in the UK's visa rules that will affect Indians.
The two countries agreed on a deal for lightweight multirole missile systems called Martlet, made by Thales. These missiles will be delivered to combat units of the Indian Army. They can be fired from infantry, armoured vehicles, helicopters and naval vessels. These missiles can hit targets at a speed of Mach 1.5 at a range of 6 km.
Modi and Starmer also finalised an intergovernmental agreement to develop electrical systems for naval platforms. Modi said that both countries are moving towards defence co-production. The two countries also signed an agreement on cooperation in military training. Under this, flying instructors of the Indian Air Force will serve as trainers in the UK's Royal Air Force.
Both leaders also welcomed the formation of the 'India-UK Offshore Wind Task Force' and the 'Environmental Technology Startup Fund' in environmental technology and AI. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India and Britain are natural partners and the growing relationship between the two countries is an important pillar of global stability and economic progress at a time when the world is facing an environment of uncertainty.
He said that the relationship between the two countries is built on shared values ??related to democracy, freedom and the rule of law. After talks with Starmer on a range of issues, Modi said that the signing of the historic India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement in July will reduce import costs between the two countries, create new employment opportunities, boost trade and benefit industries and consumers.
The two leaders also shared views on peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, West Asia and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Modi said, "On the issues of the Ukraine war and Gaza, India supports all efforts to restore peace through dialogue and diplomacy. We are fully committed to increasing maritime security cooperation with the UK in the Indo-Pacific region.
Starmer is accompanied by a delegation of 125 British dignitaries, including businessmen and academics. Meanwhile, Modi, while addressing the 'Global Fintech Fest 2025', invited global companies to be a part of India's development story and said that the country is the fastest growing major economy in the world.
He said that technology is not only a tool of convenience but also of equality. He gave the example of the banking system and said that today digital payments are a part of everyone's life and the credit for this goes to Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and mobile.