Prime Minister Narendra Modi met UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the sidelines of the 51st G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada.

"An exceptional conversation with Prime Minister Keir Starmer! India and UK ties are getting stronger, reflecting in the ground we've covered in areas like trade and commerce. We will keep working together to add even more momentum to this wonderful friendship," PM Modi posted on X.

Their meeting comes in the wake of the tragic Air India crash, which claimed British lives, casting a sombre backdrop to the interaction between the two leaders. Both sides are expected to remain in close coordination as investigations continue.

The crash occurred on June 12, when an Air India flight bound for London from Ahmedabad crashed shortly after takeoff, ramming into a doctors' hostel at BJ Medical College in Gujarat's Ahmedabad.

Notably, in May 2025, India and the UK signed a India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking a significant step between the world's 4th and 6th largest economies amid ongoing global trade volatility and tariff uncertainties.

UK is India's 4th largest export destination and India is UK's 11th largest trading partner. The bilateral trade of about USD 60 billion is projected to double by 2030. It is India's 16th FTA, and the UK's most significant bilateral trade deal post-Brexit.

The FTA grants zero-duty access for 99% of Indian exports to the UK, including textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, marine products, sports goods, toys, gems and jewellery, auto parts, engineering goods, and organic chemicals. Automobiles tariffs cut to 10% under a quota, down from over 100% .

It also promotes labour mobility. About 100 additional annual visas for Indian professionals, particularly in IT and healthcare.

India and the UK also signed a Double Contribution Convention Agreement (also called a Social Security Agreement) as one of the key aspects of the deal. It will ensure that professionals in either country are not forced to pay national insurance or social security contributions in both countries.