Kananaskis (Canada): Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his British counterpart, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, on June 17 on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, and reaffirmed that both nations will continue working closely to enhance their already robust bilateral relationship.

Taking to social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi said: “An exceptional conversation with Prime Minister Keir Starmer! India and UK ties are getting stronger, reflecting in the ground we’ve covered in areas like trade and commerce. We will keep working together to add even more momentum to this wonderful friendship. @Keir_Starmer.”

The meeting took place against the backdrop of the tragic Air India crash, which claimed several British lives. The accident occurred on June 12, when an Air India flight en route to London from Ahmedabad crashed shortly after takeoff, colliding with a doctors’ hostel at BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed deep grief over the tragic event. In a post on X, he wrote: “Today is a truly heartbreaking day for many British and Indian families up and down the country. I want to extend my heartfelt sympathies to all those impacted by the horrific plane crash.”

The United Kingdom’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has offered technical support to the Indian authorities leading the investigation into the crash.

Earlier, on June 7, Prime Minister Modi had conveyed his warm congratulations to Prime Minister Starmer following his recent electoral victory and reiterated an invitation for him to visit India at the earliest mutual convenience.

In June 2025, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also expressed gratitude to the UK government for its firm solidarity with India in combating terrorism, especially in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which coordinated international action remains ongoing to ensure the perpetrators face justice.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited India soon after the historic India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was signed on May 6. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar called the agreement a significant milestone that is set to boost bilateral trade, investment flows, and strengthen global supply and value chains. The FTA was signed alongside the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention, providing clarity and stability for businesses operating across both economies.

The India-UK FTA, signed in May 2025, marked a major breakthrough between the world’s fourth and sixth-largest economies amid persistent global trade disruptions and tariff uncertainties.

The United Kingdom is India’s fourth-largest export destination, while India is the UK’s 11th-largest trading partner. The bilateral trade volume of approximately $60 billion is expected to double by 2030 under the new agreement.

This FTA is India’s 16th such deal and represents the UK’s most comprehensive bilateral trade pact since Brexit. The agreement grants zero-duty access for 99 per cent of Indian exports to the UK, including key sectors such as textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, marine products, sports goods, toys, gems and jewellery, auto components, engineering products, and organic chemicals.

The growing economic partnership is further complemented by vibrant diaspora linkages and increasing educational and cultural exchanges, making India and the UK natural strategic partners in the evolving global order.