Keir Starmer, the outgoing Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has marked a significant diplomatic achievement by finalizing the long-anticipated Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India. This development came just before he announced his resignation. During a meeting at the G7 Summit in 2026 with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two leaders set July 15 as the implementation date for the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), a move expected to boost the existing £48 billion annual trade relationship between the nations.
Throughout his tenure, Starmer was a proponent of strengthening ties with India, making the trade agreement a cornerstone of his administration’s foreign policy. He emphasized the growing economic clout of India on the world stage and underscored the advantages of facilitating easier trade between the two countries. Since taking over the Labour leadership after their 2019 electoral defeat, Starmer had focused on mending fences with the British Indian community and laying the groundwork for a diversified partnership with India, involving trade, security, education, technology, and climate change initiatives.
Before venturing into politics, Starmer had a notable career in law, serving as the Director of Public Prosecutions. His political career took a significant turn when he led the Labour Party to a decisive victory in the 2024 elections, subsequently becoming Prime Minister. During his time in office, he was credited with stabilizing the UK economy and pushing through key domestic reforms, although his leadership faced hurdles due to various policy issues and political setbacks that eventually undermined his position.
In a heartfelt resignation speech, Starmer conceded that he no longer had the full confidence of his parliamentary colleagues to lead the Labour Party into the next general election. He expressed his acceptance of their decision with both respect and gratitude, signaling the close of an impactful era in British politics. Starmer’s decision to step down comes at a time when the successful negotiation of the trade deal with India stands as a testament to his efforts to foster international economic ties.