During UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to India, discussions between him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi prominently featured the issue of Khalistani extremism, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri revealed on Sunday.

Misri said Prime Minister Modi strongly underscored that radical ideologies and violent extremism have no space in democratic societies, and both nations must act firmly within their legal frameworks to counter such threats.

Describing the visit as “a partnership for the people,” Misri noted that India and the UK are collaborating across multiple sectors to deliver tangible benefits to citizens on both sides.

Trade, Education, and Economic Growth

One of the highlights of the visit was progress on the long-anticipated India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Misri said the deal will play a crucial role in advancing India’s Viksit Bharat vision and is expected to create new employment opportunities for young Indians.

Starmer arrived in India leading a 125-member delegation, the largest-ever UK business mission to the country. The group included prominent business leaders, entrepreneurs, and educationists, along with nine UK university vice-chancellors exploring joint ventures and academic collaborations in India.

During the talks, PM Modi confirmed that these nine UK universities would soon establish campuses in India, marking a milestone in bilateral education ties.

Starmer’s itinerary also included meetings with Indian industry representatives, a visit to Yash Raj Films to discuss film production partnerships, and participation in a football promotion event. Addressing business leaders, Starmer encouraged them to share specific steps that governments could take to remove trade barriers and unlock new opportunities.

“We want to support you in realising the full potential of this trade agreement,” Starmer said, pointing out that UK-India trade and investment grew by £6 billion in just three months after signing the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) in July.

Addressing Extremism and Security

The conversation on radicalism took place against the backdrop of a security breach in London earlier this year, when protesters disrupted an event featuring External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at Chatham House.

Broader Strategic Cooperation

During their official meeting at Raj Bhavan, PM Modi and Starmer held wide-ranging talks on regional and global developments. They also engaged with UK university leaders and members of the India–UK CEOs Forum.

Foreign Secretary Misri said both sides are now focused on finalising and ratifying the FTA, which promises to deepen trade ties through tariff cuts and market access. The visit also saw new joint investments announced to strengthen climate-tech innovation and technology collaboration.

In a significant diplomatic development, Misri confirmed that the UK reiterated its support for India’s bid for a permanent seat on a reformed UN Security Council, describing it as a “gesture of deep mutual respect and trust.”