PM Modi to visit Britain, Maldives; boosting bilateral ties, inking India-UK FTA top focus

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the United Kingdom and the Maldives from Wednesday to Saturday, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Sunday.

Modi will visit London on Wednesday and Thursday at the invitation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the UK. This will be his fourth visit to the UK after taking over as the prime minister in May 2014.

Modi and Starmer will hold wide-ranging discussions on the entire gamut of India-UK bilateral relations. They will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance, according to a readout issued by the MEA in New Delhi. The prime minister is also expected to call on King Charles III.

During the visit, the two sides will also review the progress of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) with a specific focus on trade and economy, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate, health, education and people-to-people ties, it added.

Modi and Starmer, on May 6, formally announced in New Delhi and London the successful conclusion of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

The prime minister will be on a state visit to the Maldives from Friday and Saturday, 2025, on the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu of the island nation. This will be the prime minister's third visit to the Maldives, and the first visit by a Head of State or Government to the Maldives during the presidency of Mohamed Muizzu.

The prime minister will be the ‘Guest of Honour’ at the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Independence of the Maldives on Saturday.

Modi and Muizzu will hold discussions on issues of mutual interest. The two leaders will also take stock of the progress in the implementation of the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a ‘Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership’, adopted during the State Visit of the President of Maldives to India in October 2024. The visit reflects the importance India attaches to its maritime neighbour, Maldives, which continues to hold a special place in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision MAHASAGAR. The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to further deepen and strengthen the close bilateral relationship, the MEA stated.