British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is stepping down, achieved a significant diplomatic victory by finalizing the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) just before announcing his resignation. In a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G7 Summit 2026, the two leaders set July 15 as the implementation date for the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). This landmark agreement is expected to bolster trade relations between the two countries, which currently amount to approximately £48 billion annually.
Starmer had been a strong advocate for fostering closer ties with India, making the trade agreement a central goal of his administration. He praised the deal as a substantial opportunity for economic growth, emphasizing India’s expanding global economic role and the potential for more seamless and cost-effective trade between the nations. Since taking over as Labour leader after the party’s defeat in the 2019 election, Starmer focused on strengthening connections with the British Indian community and enhancing the bilateral partnership with India across various sectors.
During his tenure, the Labour government committed to increasing cooperation with India in areas such as trade, security, education, technology, and climate initiatives. Starmer, who had a notable legal career prior to entering politics, served as Director of Public Prosecutions before becoming Prime Minister after Labour’s overwhelming victory in the 2024 election. Despite early achievements in economic stabilization and domestic reform, his leadership faced challenges due to policy issues and political setbacks, leading to a decline in support within his party.
In his resignation speech, Starmer expressed deep emotion and acknowledged that his parliamentary colleagues no longer viewed him as the right leader to guide Labour into the upcoming general election. He stated that he accepted their decision respectfully and with gratitude, marking the conclusion of an impactful period in British political history.