New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a high-profile two-nation tour to the United Kingdom and the Maldives from July 23 to 26, aimed at boosting India’s global trade partnerships and reaffirming regional diplomacy.
The first leg of the tour takes PM Modi to the United Kingdom on July 23–24. The highlight of this visit will be the signing of the India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) — a milestone deal that has been under negotiation for the last three years.
The FTA covers 99% of Indian exports to the UK and will lower tariffs, promoting smoother market access. British products like whisky and cars will also benefit from easier entry into India. The deal is expected to boost bilateral trade, ease regulatory barriers, and strengthen economic as well as strategic ties between India and the UK.
On July 25–26, Prime Minister Modi will travel to the Maldives, where he will attend the 60th National Day celebrations as the Chief Guest. This marks Modi’s first visit to the island nation since President Mohamed Muizzu came to power.
The visit comes after a phase of strained relations, triggered by the “India Out” campaign and the Maldives’ growing tilt towards China. The visit aims to rebuild trust and cooperation, reaffirm India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, and strengthen regional security and maritime collaboration.
Modi’s visit will also serve as a follow-up to President Muizzu’s India trip in October 2024, which signalled a thaw in diplomatic ties.
This twin-nation tour is a key step in India’s evolving global engagement. The UK visit cements economic diplomacy with a major Western ally, while the Maldives leg reasserts regional leadership in the Indian Ocean. Both visits reflect India’s intent to maintain strong global partnerships while securing regional stability.
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