In a significant diplomatic and economic breakthrough, India and the United Kingdom on July 24, 2025, signed a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in London, paving the way for a strategic realignment of trade and investment flows between the two democracies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was present at the signing ceremony, declared that the deal was “not merely an economic partnership, but a blueprint for shared prosperity.”

A landmark Free Trade Agreement is poised to elevate bilateral trade by an estimated USD 34 billion (aprox.₹2.83 lakh crore) each year. This deal marks the UK’s most significant trade pact since its exit from the European Union in 2020.The agreement was finalised after years of protracted negotiations, promises to eliminate tariffs on nearly 99 per cent of traded goods, and offering a sweeping window of opportunity for businesses, investors, and workers across sectors. With this pact, India has signalled its arrival as a mature global player ready to integrate its economy with advanced markets.

Vision 2035: A Strategic Blueprint for the Next Decade

Looking beyond the trade deal, PM Modi and UK PM, Keir Starmer unveiled ‘Vision 2035’, an ambitious roadmap for strategic cooperation across technology, defence, education, climate, and people-to-people ties.

One of the highlights is the entry of six UK universities into India, marking the beginning of a new era in cross-border education. The University of Southampton has already inaugurated its campus in Gurugram, symbolising a structural shift in India’s higher education landscape.

On the defence front, a joint........

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