“UK to be your partner of choice”: British PM Starmer invites India to deepen fintech ties, highlights growing trade and investment
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has positioned the UK as a key partner for India in the financial technology sector, emphasizing that trade and services between the two nations have doubled over the past four years, reports 24brussels.
Speaking at the Global Fintech Fest held at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai, Starmer highlighted the significance of the existing trade agreement between the two countries, stating it provides a pathway to enhance fintech collaborations. He urged Indian companies to engage more deeply with the UK, expressing a desire for Britain to be recognized as India’s preferred partner in finance and fintech.
“The UK and India are natural partners here. We are both world leaders in fintech. We have the second and third-largest fintech sectors in the world. Our trade and services have doubled over the last four years alone. And now our trade agreement provides a launchpad to go even further. We want the UK to be your number one partner of choice for finance and fintech. I’m here to extend an invitation to all of you to do business with Britain, to see the UK as your gateway to going global,” Starmer said.
In his address, Starmer underscored the potential of India, noting its position as the world’s largest democracy and a swiftly growing economy with a predominately young population. He remarked on the synergy created by combining the UK’s expertise with India’s dynamic market, particularly in Mumbai.
Earlier in the day, Starmer unveiled new initiatives aimed at boosting bilateral cooperation across technology, education, and creative industries, reinforcing the evolving partnership between the two nations. At a press conference, he stated, “We are opening the UK-India Technology Security Initiative to boost opportunities for great British companies and deliver dozens of new investments into the United Kingdom, harnessing tech as one of the biggest engines that we have for jobs and for growth.”
Highlighting achievements from his visit, Starmer noted that collaboration between India and the UK continues to broaden into different sectors. He mentioned that three new Bollywood films are slated to be produced in the UK, and two British universities, the University of Lancaster and the University of Surrey, will establish campuses in India, enhancing the UK’s status as India’s leading international education provider.
Starmer reiterated the necessity of a proactive approach in executing trade and investment agreements between the UK and India. He emphasized that his government intends to collaborate closely with industry stakeholders to ensure substantial outcomes from the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and other strategic partnerships.
