UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will come into force on July 15, according to the Economic Times. The announcement was made during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, just days before Starmer announced his resignation outside 10 Downing Street in London.
Agreement Details
The agreement is expected to provide a major boost to the two countries' £48-billion bilateral trade relationship. “It’s not just a piece of paper, it’s a launchpad for growth. With India set to be the third biggest economy in the world by 2028, and trade with them about to become quicker and cheaper, the opportunities waiting to be seized are unparalleled,” Starmer said during his visit to Mumbai last October.
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Agreement | India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) |
| Effective Date | July 15 |
| Bilateral Trade Value | £48 billion |
| Key Quote (Starmer) | “It’s not just a piece of paper, it’s a launchpad for growth.” |
Political Context
Starmer, the 63-year-old MP for Holborn and St Pancras, was widely credited with reviving Labour's fortunes after the party's crushing defeat in the 2019 general election. Under his leadership, Labour rebuilt public confidence and returned to power with a commanding mandate. During his election campaign, Starmer visited the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Kingsbury, north London, where he assured British Hindus that there was “absolutely no place for Hinduphobia in Britain”. He continued to reiterate that message throughout his premiership, including during Diwali celebrations at 10 Downing Street.
Prior to becoming party leader, Starmer served as Shadow Brexit Secretary under Jeremy Corbyn and played a central role in shaping Labour's Brexit strategy. After Labour's heavy defeat in 2019, he succeeded Corbyn as party leader and repositioned the party with a focus on economic stability, housebuilding, public services and reforming the NHS.
Starmer's Background and Legacy
Knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II for his services to law and criminal justice, Sir Keir spent much of his career in the legal profession before entering politics. He was first elected as Labour MP for Holborn and St Pancras in 2015 after serving as the UK's Director of Public Prosecutions. Born in London to a toolmaker father, Rodney, and an NHS nurse mother, Josephine, Starmer grew up in Oxted, Surrey. He has often spoken about the influence of his parents, particularly his mother, who suffered from Still's disease and died just weeks before he entered Parliament in 2015. Starmer has said her resilience shaped his determination, while his father's work ethic influenced his belief in respecting working people.
Unlike his predecessor Rishi Sunak, Starmer was often criticised for lacking charisma during televised debates, despite sharing a legal background and an education at the University of Oxford. Nevertheless, his experience as the country's chief prosecutor helped him develop a reputation for methodical performances in Parliament, particularly during Prime Minister's Questions.
Although his government initially earned credit for bringing greater economic stability and rebuilding Labour's electoral standing, a series of policy reversals and political missteps ultimately eroded support, leading to his resignation as Prime Minister. The implementation of the India-UK FTA now falls to his successor, but the deal remains a cornerstone of Starmer's tenure.
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