PM Modi begins 4-day tour to UK and Maldives today

 

PM Modi begins 4-day tour to UK and Maldives today. Detailed schedule and main topics provided below. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi starts an important journey to the UK and the Maldives with the goal of strengthening trade relations and defense collaboration. As the India-UK free trade agreement approaches, and with a focus on building regional alliances, this visit has the potential to alter India's global connections. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trip to the United Kingdom and the Maldives takes place from today, July 23, through July 26. 

This trip to the UK follows an invitation from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, while the visit to the Maldives is based on an invitation from President Mohamed Muizzu, as stated by the Ministry of External Affairs. 

The primary goal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trips to the UK and the Maldives will be to enhance trade and defense partnerships, with the formal establishment of the significant India-UK free trade agreement expected to be a major outcome of his London visit. This international journey occurs during the Monsoon Session of Parliament that commenced on July 21. 

Initially, the prime minister will go to the UK on a two-day visit on Wednesday, followed by a trip to the Maldives, mainly to attend the Independence Day celebrations of the island nation as a "guest of honor." 

Meetings with PM Starmer and King Charles III 

As noted by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in addition to extensive discussions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Modi will also have an audience with King Charles III during his visit to the UK on July 23-24. 

This marks PM Modi's fourth trip to the United Kingdom since he took office. 

Starmer plans to host Modi on Thursday, July 24, at Chequers, the official country residence situated 50 kilometers northwest of London. 

Reports from PTI have indicated that Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his British counterpart Jonathan Reynolds are anticipated to finalize the free trade agreement (FTA) in the presence of both prime ministers. 

British businesses set to export whisky, cars, and more 

In May, India and the UK finalized the FTA, which is projected to benefit 99 percent of Indian exports by easing tariffs and will facilitate British companies in exporting whisky, cars, and various products to India, while also enhancing the overall trade volume.