Keir Starmer unveils initiatives to strengthen India-UK ties in tech, education

United Kingdom UK Prime Minister PM Keir Starmer on Thursday announced new initiatives to boost bilateral cooperation with India in technology education and the creative industries highlighting the growing and evolving partnership between the two countries news agency ANI reportedSpeaking at a press conference in Mumbai Starmer said ldquoWe are opening the UKIndia Technology Security Initiative to create opportunities for British companies and deliver dozens of new investments into the United Kingdom harnessing technology as one of the biggest drivers of jobs and growthrdquoHe highlighted key outcomes from his visit noting that collaboration between the two countries is expanding into new sectors ANI reportedldquoOther standout wins this week include filmmaking with three new Bollywood blockbusters set to be made in the United Kingdom and education with the University of Lancaster and the University of Surrey opening new campuses in India These join other British universities already in India making the UK the countryrsquos top international education providerrdquo Starmer saidThe British PM emphasised that the partnership goes beyond trade and investmentldquoWe are leading the way because this relationship matters more than ever across the economy security energy climate and more Our history together is deep and the human connections between our people are truly specialrdquo he saidReaffirming the importance of continued collaboration Starmer added ldquoThis week wersquove built on our historic trade deal We are remaking this partnership for our times mdash forwardlooking focused on seizing future opportunities together and bringing them home for the British peoplerdquoEarlier he called for a ldquohandsonrdquo approach to implementing trade and investment agreements stressing close collaboration with industry leaders to ensure tangible results from the Free Trade Agreement FTA and other bilateral initiativesAddressing a highprofile business forum attended by PM Narendra Modi and leading chief executive officers CEOs from both countries the British premier said ldquoToo often in the past governments have negotiated trade deals and then left them on the table We want to do things differently Governments must provide followthrough support ensuring connections are in place We want to be on the pitch with you not just building the stadium and walking awayrdquoThe event saw announcements of new contracts with Indian airlines and investments from UK fintech firms Revolut and Tide which Starmer described as ldquoa powerful examplerdquo of cooperation driving shared prosperity ANI reportedReflecting on the broader trade relationship Starmer said ldquoThe trade deal is more than whatrsquos written down Itrsquos about confidence intent and creating the conditions for growthrdquo He added that in the three months since signing the deal at Chequers trade and investment have increased by pound6 billion including new contracts for RollsRoyce with major Indian airlines and fresh investments from Revolut and TideAccompanied by Business Secretary Grant Shapps and Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack Starmer reaffirmed the United Kingdom UK governmentrsquos commitment to ensuring trade and investment agreements deliver concrete resultsldquoWersquore here to help maximise the potential of this FTA The presence of senior ministers underscores how seriously we view our economic partnership with Indiardquo he saidStarmer urged business leaders to highlight challenges that hinder full implementation of trade dealsldquoThe world moves faster than in the past and governments need to keep pace Tell us what barriers exist and what more can be done to capitalise on opportunitiesrdquo he saidConcluding the forum Starmer said the event marked a new phase in IndiaUK engagement focused on collaboration and accountabilityldquoToday is just the start The task now is to follow through together We are committed to doing that because we know the enormous benefits this partnership brings for businesses our countries and working people in both nationsrdquo he saidWith ANI inputs