The prime minister is on a two day visit to India, where he aims to promote the advantages of a newly established trade agreement

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said that Britain will not ease visa regulations for Indian citizens seeking to work in the UK.

Speaking to reporters on the way to Mumbai, he said visas "played no part" in a trade deal that the UK and India signed in July.

"The issue is not about visas," Starmer told reporters. "It's about business to business engagement and investment and jobs and prosperity coming into the United Kingdom."

Starmer, who arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday for a two-day bilateral visit, is leading a delegation of over 100 business leaders, cultural figures, and university heads, with the aim of increasing investment in Britain and stimulate the sluggish economy.

The multibillion-dollarfree tradeagreement was signed in July between India and the UK after years of negotiations. British products such as gin and whisky, electrical and medical devices, cosmetics, chocolate, and luxury cars will now be cheaper in India.

The agreement is expected to boost India's service sector, including information technology and IT-enabled services. It includes a three-year exemption on social security paid by Indian citizens working in the UK on short-term visas.

Asked by reporters whether the UK might consider trying to attract tech entrepreneurs from India, Starmer said the country wants to attract "top talent" from across the globe to help grow the economy, though he has repeatedly said there are no plans for new visa routes to India, according to the BBC.

Total trade between the UK and India stood at $57.7 billion in 2024, according to UK Trade and Investment data.

India is currently negotiating a similar agreement with the US as it faces a 50% tariffs on most exports to the country.

(RT.com)