Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal calls on UK PM Keir Starmer, discusses avenues to deepen trade, economic partnership

Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, called on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his visit to Mumbai, where the two held engaging discussions on avenues to deepen trade and economic partnership between India and the UK.

“Delighted to call on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Discussed avenues to further deepen India-UK trade and economic partnership for mutual prosperity,” Goyal said in a post on X.

On Wednesday, Goyal met with Peter Kyle, UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in a bilateral meeting to establish a renewed direction for the India–UK trade and investment partnership. According to the ministry, the meeting marked a significant step toward operationalising the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), with both ministers agreeing to reposition the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) to oversee its implementation and delivery.

Both sides emphasised their commitment to ensuring swift, coordinated, and results-oriented implementation of the Agreement, aiming to realise its full potential for businesses and consumers in both countries. The two ministers reaffirmed their shared goal to double bilateral trade by 2030, leveraging the strengths of their economies in areas such as advanced manufacturing, digital trade, clean energy, and services.

Highlighting the transformative potential of CETA, the Ministers discussed ways to maximise its benefits through regulatory cooperation, addressing non-tariff barriers, and promoting supply chain integration.

Before the bilateral meeting, a series of sector-specific roundtables took place across key industries such as Advanced Manufacturing, Consumer Goods, Food and Drink, Science, Technology and Innovation, Construction, Infrastructure & Clean Energy, and Financial, Professional & Business Services (including IT/ITeS, education, and engineering). These discussions gathered prominent voices from Indian and UK industries, offering crucial insights to inform the execution of plans.

The India–UK CEO Forum was also convened, uniting business leaders from both nations to deliberate on emerging opportunities for trade, investment, and innovation. Co-chaired by distinguished industry representatives from India and the United Kingdom, the forum functioned as a pivotal platform to bolster bilateral economic cooperation and enhance partnerships across various sectors. The discussions reaffirmed the mutual dedication of India and the UK to fostering a modern, mutually advantageous, and sustainable economic relationship, reinforced by the India-UK CETA.