Sir Keir Starmer travelled to Mumbai leading a delegation of around 125 business chiefs, cultural leaders and university heads on what Downing Street describes as the UK’s largest ever trade mission to India. The visit centres on a trade deal signed in July, which officials say could act as a launchpad for growth by offering significantly lower tariffs for many British industries.

Speaking to the delegation, Starmer said: ‘Our job is to make it easier for you to seize the opportunities.’ He added: ‘On the plane home, I want each of you to tell me what you got out of this trip – a deal, a contact.’ He also urged action, calling the agreement ‘a wonderful opportunity’ and telling attendees: ‘Let’s go out and seize it.’ Officials are being asked to implement the deal as soon as humanly possible, according to Sir Keir.

Mr Modi will hold talks that may cover broader issues. Mr Starmer has said visas for skilled Indian workers are not part of the plan and that Britain is here to capitalise on the free trade agreement already struck. The deal is projected to be worth about £4.8 billion a year to the UK and could add around £2.2 billion to wages. In talks with Mr Modi, the issue of Russia may arise; Mr Modi has posted birthday wishes to President Putin on social media in the past, and India continues to buy oil from Moscow despite Western sanctions. Mr Starmer said he had not sent birthday greetings to Putin and has no intention of doing so. He added that Britain would continue efforts to curb Russia’s shadow fleet, which is used to move oil and gas, describing sanctions as most effective when directed at that fleet. The delegation also highlighted calls to raise the case of British citizen Jagtar Singh Johal, a 38-year-old Sikh activist from Dumbarton detained in India for nearly eight years; a UN panel has described his detention as arbitrary. In Mumbai, posters and billboards greeted Starmer with messages about a vibrant new era of India-UK partnership.