David Lammy in India: What the £25bn UK-India trade deal means for both nations

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy is scheduled to arrive in India today to lead a new round of diplomatic talks focused on expanding economic and migration cooperation, following the recently signed UK-India Free Trade Agreement valued at over £25 billion annually.

What is expect to happen in New Delhi on June 7?

The UK Foreign Secretary’s official visit to India will commence in New Delhi on the morning of June 7, 2025, as part of an ongoing diplomatic push to operationalise the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The British government confirmed the visit through a statement released by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office earlier in the day. Lammy is expected to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar during his two-day engagement.

Officials indicated that the visit’s core objectives include reinforcing bilateral trade, enhancing migration frameworks, and building momentum behind recent diplomatic agreements. The trip follows the signing of the historic UK-India Free Trade Agreement earlier this year and is designed to accelerate its implementation and commercial outcomes.

Why is the UK Foreign Secretary visiting India now?

This is David Lammy’s second visit to India as Foreign Secretary, and it comes at a pivotal moment in UK foreign policy as the government prioritises post-Brexit bilateral trade relationships and secure migration frameworks. His previous visit in July 2024 resulted in the launch of the UK-India Technology Security Initiative and marked a turning point in diplomatic alignment between the two countries.

According to the UK Foreign Office, the Free Trade Agreement is projected to raise bilateral trade by £25 billion each year, increase UK GDP by £4.8 billion, and lift annual wages by £2.2 billion. Lammy’s presence in New Delhi is intended to ensure institutional follow-through, particularly in the areas of investment, job creation, and secure migration.

This diplomatic trip is also aligned with the British government’s broader “Plan for Change” strategy, which focuses on revitalising domestic economic growth through international partnerships.

What will be discussed during Lammy’s meetings with Indian leaders?

Lammy is expected to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, focusing on the implementation roadmap of the Free Trade Agreement, as well as enhanced cooperation on border security, citizen protection, and workforce mobility.

As per statements released by UK officials, the migration component of the dialogue will include policy coordination on legal migration, border enforcement, and safeguards for citizens from both countries. Discussions are also expected to cover the joint promotion of secure global supply chains, including in telecoms, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and green technology.

The talks will build on several recent developments, including the May 2025 signing of the UK-India Programme of Cultural Cooperation and the Economic and Financial Dialogue in April, where £400 million in new trade and investment deals were announced.

What does the UK-India trade agreement include?

Signed earlier this year, the UK-India Free Trade Agreement is one of Britain’s most ambitious bilateral trade deals since exiting the European Union. It includes wide-ranging tariff reductions, improved market access for services and goods, and regulatory harmonisation across multiple sectors.

In practice, the agreement is expected to benefit British industries such as financial services, automotive manufacturing, life sciences, and green energy. On the Indian side, the deal opens up greater access to the UK’s services market, particularly for information technology, consulting, and engineering firms.

The Foreign Secretary is also set to meet with business leaders and industry groups in India to ensure faster deployment of investments and to resolve implementation bottlenecks. According to the UK government, over 950 Indian companies operate in Britain, while more than 650 UK firms have a presence in India.

How are migration and border issues featuring in the UK-India talks?

Migration remains a key policy focus for both nations. The UK Home Office has sought to build secure bilateral migration partnerships with countries like India to manage skilled worker mobility while also addressing concerns related to undocumented migration and border breaches.

British officials indicated that the Foreign Secretary will highlight ongoing work to “safeguard citizens and secure borders,” and frame migration cooperation as a vital pillar of national security and economic stability. Institutional engagement may involve the expansion of visa schemes, student and skilled worker mobility programmes, and joint efforts to combat people-smuggling networks.

Lammy has previously stated that managing international migration through partnerships was essential to “securing the UK’s borders at home,” underscoring the strategic nature of his discussions in India.

What is the significance of the UK-India Technology Security Initiative?

Launched during Lammy’s earlier visit to India in July 2024, the UK-India Technology Security Initiative is a cross-sectoral platform for cooperation on critical and emerging technologies. The initiative covers collaboration in telecoms, AI, quantum computing, critical minerals, biotech, advanced materials, and cybersecurity infrastructure.

British officials view the initiative as a foundational pillar for economic resilience and digital sovereignty. The Foreign Secretary’s current visit will include a review of progress under this programme, especially with regard to investment flows, research partnerships, and tech regulation standards.

The UK aims to establish India as a “trusted partner” in securing future tech supply chains, positioning this relationship as a counterbalance to growing dependencies on authoritarian regimes in key areas like semiconductors and critical materials.

How has business reacted to Lammy’s visit and recent UK-India deals?

Indian business leaders have responded positively to both the trade agreement and Lammy’s return to New Delhi. Multiple executives from top Indian conglomerates are expected to participate in private meetings with the Foreign Secretary to discuss investment facilitation, cross-border capital access, and technology transfer opportunities.

According to the UK’s Department for Business and Trade, Indian businesses were the second-largest contributors to new UK inward investment projects for five consecutive years as of FY2023–24. This consistent growth underpins a bilateral economic relationship that supports over 600,000 jobs across both countries.

Analysts see Lammy’s focus on engaging Indian investors as critical for delivering on the British government’s upcoming Industrial Strategy, which promises to simplify regulations and incentivise international business operations in the UK.

Are geopolitical or security tensions also being addressed?

Yes, regional stability is part of the visit’s diplomatic agenda. British officials have confirmed that Lammy will discuss the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack with Indian leaders and explore joint measures to sustain peace and security in the South Asian region. The UK has long emphasised the importance of dialogue and democratic processes in addressing geopolitical tensions, including cross-border terrorism.

These discussions come amid broader UK efforts to align more closely with Indo-Pacific partners, in line with its 2023 Integrated Review of defence and foreign policy. The UK sees India as a cornerstone partner in ensuring a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, particularly in the face of growing Chinese and Russian assertiveness.

What’s next for UK-India relations?

Lammy’s visit is part of a broader arc of strategic convergence between the United Kingdom and India. British officials have indicated that follow-up engagements may include expanded cultural exchange programmes, the launch of new R&D partnerships under the technology initiative, and additional trade dialogues.

With the UK’s new Industrial Strategy on the horizon and India ramping up its role in global manufacturing and digital services, the two nations are poised to play complementary roles in the 21st-century economic order. Officials from both sides have described the Free Trade Agreement as “only the beginning,” signalling further deals and cooperation in the near future.