PM Modi begins 4-day UK, Maldives visit today.
In the UK, discussions are expected to center around the much-anticipated India-UK free trade agreement, which could boost economic cooperation between the two nations. In the Maldives, Modi will engage in high-level talks aimed at strengthening strategic and regional partnerships in the Indian Ocean. This visit is seen as a key diplomatic move that could redefine India’s global alliances and geopolitical influence.
PM Modi Embarks on 4-Day Visit to UK and Maldives, Focusing on Trade, Defence, and Diplomacy
This diplomatic journey is being seen as a major step forward in India’s foreign policy, with trade, defence, and regional partnerships taking center stage.
The visit is expected to provide a major boost to bilateral ties between the two countries, especially as they gear up to finalise the much-awaited India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The deal, which has been under discussion for several years, is likely to be signed during this visit — a landmark moment that could redefine the economic landscape between the two democracies.
According to sources familiar with the development, the FTA is expected to be signed by India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his British counterpart Jonathan Reynolds in the presence of Prime Ministers Modi and Starmer.
Trade experts have described the deal as a “watershed moment” for both nations, as it promises to reduce tariffs, increase market access, and foster greater investment opportunities. The agreement is expected to especially benefit sectors like pharmaceuticals, textiles, information technology, and education — areas where India has long had a competitive edge.
Apart from trade, defence and strategic cooperation will also be a focal point of Modi’s UK visit. Both countries are expected to discuss strengthening maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region, enhancing military interoperability, and collaborating on emerging defence technologies. With global geopolitical dynamics evolving rapidly, New Delhi and London are keen to align their strategic visions more closely.
The second leg of the Prime Minister’s journey will take him to the Maldives on July 25, where he will be the chief guest at the island nation’s Independence Day celebrations. His visit to the Maldives comes at the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu and carries immense symbolic as well as strategic value.
Though relations between the two nations have witnessed some turbulence in recent months, this visit signals India’s intent to recalibrate its neighbourhood-first policy and reaffirm its role as a key development partner in the Indian Ocean region.
During his stay in Malé, Modi is expected to hold high-level discussions with President Muizzu and other top Maldivian leaders. These talks will likely focus on security cooperation, infrastructure development, and climate resilience — all critical areas for the Maldives. The visit is also being seen as an effort to counter growing Chinese influence in the region.
India and the Maldives share deep-rooted cultural and historical ties, and New Delhi has been a major contributor to the Maldives’ development, offering financial assistance, infrastructure support, and defence collaboration over the years.
The Ministry of External Affairs has underscored the importance of this dual-nation visit, calling it an opportunity to strengthen India’s ties with both a key global economic partner and a strategically located maritime neighbour.
With global attention focused on his itinerary, Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the UK and the Maldives could mark a turning point in India’s international outreach. Whether it’s clinching a trade deal with London or building diplomatic bridges in Malé, the trip reflects India’s growing confidence on the world stage — a nation not just reacting to global events, but shaping them.