Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed that Britain will not pursue a visa deal with India.
a strategic decision that accompanies his plan to deepen economic ties between the two nations following the recent trade agreement. Starmer is commencing a two-day trade mission to India this Wednesday, accompanied by UK businesses to promote the landmark trade deal. The agreement was finalized in May, officially signed in July, and is scheduled to come into effect next year, boosting UK-India economic ties.
As part of efforts to deepen economic ties with the nation, Prime Minister .
Keir Starmer is not pursuing a visa deal with India, he stated. Starmer’s two-day trip to India begins on Wednesday, leading a business trade mission designed to promote the recently-signed UK-India trade deal. This significant agreement was reached in May, formally signed in July, and is set to be implemented next year, solidifying the strategic partnership.
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Focus on the Policy Rationale and Modi Meeting
Keir Starmer visa stance, UK-India trade deal, Narendra Modi talks, no visa implications, restrictive immigration policy
Prime Minister Keir Starmer will not revisit the visa issue when he meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for discussions on Thursday, emphasizing that previous attempts to finalize a trade agreement were hindered by visa negotiations. Having secured the current UK-India trade deal with no visa implications, Starmer stated, “That isn’t part of the plans,” regarding visas, telling reporters the focus of the trip was “to take advantage of the free trade agreement that we’ve already struck.” He underlined the current focus, noting, “Businesses are taking advantage of that. But the issue is not about visas.UK-India
Starmer’s decision aligns with his restrictive immigration policy goal, responding to high public concern and the rise of the Reform UK party in polls.UK-India
However, he indicated an openness to attracting “top talent” to Britain,
specifically mentioning that visas would not be a barrier for Indian tech sector professionals, following the US President Donald Trump’s fee hikes on H-1B vFocus on Immigration Strategy and Tech Talen
Starmer immigration policy, UK tech talent India, free trade agreement benefits, Labour Party stance, H-1B visa changes
Seeking to adopt a more restrictive immigration policy amid public concern and electoral pressure from the Reform UK party, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed that visas will not be discussed during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.UK-India
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Starmer explained that visas had.
Previously “blocked” efforts to seal a trade deal, and having now reached an agreement without those complications, the focus is purely “to take advantage of the free trade agreement benefits that we’ve already struck.” He stressed to reporters that “the issue is not about visas.” Despite this general stance, Starmer aims to attract UK tech talent from India, stating visas would not be on the table for these professionals, a move noted after US President Donald Trump raised H-1B visa fees. Starmer maintains a broader goal to welcome “top talent” to Britain.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that a broader review of UK immigration policy is underway
specifically addressing the strategic link between visa issuance and returns agreements. The government is currently exploring a potential policy shift, examining whether there should be a link between visas and returns agreements, the official stated. This signals a UK immigration policy review aimed at boosting deportation effectiveness. While noting that the matter of deporting foreign criminals is a “non-issue” with India due to the existing and effective India deportation agreement, Starmer indicated a willingness to consider restricting visas for arrivals from countries that refuse to accept the return of their nationals.UK-India
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed the UK will not relax visa rules for India
making the statement just ahead of his arrival in the country to promote the benefits of a recent trade agreement. Starmer is leading a significant trade mission delegation, which includes over 100 entrepreneurs, cultural leaders, and university vice-chancellors, as he seeks to boost UK investment and tackle sluggish economic growth. Sir Keir emphasized the presence of “massive opportunities” to strengthen both trade and cultural ties with India. However, he firmly reiterated the current policy stance: there are no plans to open up more visa routes for those seeking entry. Indian workers .
 Focus on the Economic Goals and Delegation
UK-India economic growth, Keir Starmer visa stance, trade delegation India, boost UK investment, Indian workers student visas
Ahead of his trip to India, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated the UK will not relax visa rules for the country, even as he touts the advantages of a new trade pact. Starmer aims to boost UK investment and improve sluggish UK-India economic growth by leading a high-profile trade delegation of over 100 figures, including entrepreneurs and university vice-chancellors. While acknowledging “massive opportunities” for stronger cultural and trade links, Sir Keir was explicit that there are no plans to open up new visa routes specifically for Indian workers or students.UK-India
Speaking during his trip to India, Prime Minister Sir Keir.
Starmer confirmed that no business leaders had “raised with me the question of visas,” underscoring that the visit is instead “about providing the opportunities” for Indian businesses to take full advantage of the recently signed UK-India trade deal. This historic agreement, finalized in July after extensive negotiation, is set to deliver a multi-billion-pound trade boost, making UK exports like cars and whisky cheaper in India, and Indian exports such as textiles and jewellery cheaper in the UK.
The deal does include a three-year social security exemption for Indian employees on short-term UK visas, but ministers maintain there are no broader changes to UK immigration policy.
Speaking en route to Mumbai
Sir Keir reiterated that visas “played no part” in the original deal and that his Labour government remains committed to cutting immigration levels, as evidenced by the tough new policy on settlement status announced at the party conference. While the UK seeks to attract “top talent” globally, especially in the wake of President Donald Trump’s H-1B visa changes, Sir Keir repeatedly confirmed no plans for new visa routes to India. He highlighted the mission’s success, noting the single biggest delegation trade mission has ever come to India, signifying the relationship is at “an all-timehigh.”UK-India
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer
emphasized that the largest-ever trade mission to India is focused solely on economic growth, stating that visas were not a topic of discussion with business leaders. The purpose of the India visit “is about providing the opportunities” for Indian companies to utilize the UK-India trade deal, signed after years of talks in July. This agreement promises significant trade, including cheaper UK cars and whisky for India, and less expensive Indian textiles and jewellery for the UK market.
Although the pact includes a three-year social security exemption for certain Indian workers in the UK, ministers insist it does not signal wider immigration changes.
With the Labour government actively working to cut
UK immigration levels, Sir Keir stressed that visas “played no part” in the deal. While acknowledging the desire to attract “top talent” globally—especially for the tech sector following US H-1B visa changes—Sir Keir was clear there are no plans for new visa routes to India. Speaking in Mumbai, he proudly stated the current trade delegation is the “single biggest” to ever visit the country, reflecting that the UK-India relationship is at “an all-time high.
