NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced that nine British universities will set up campuses in India, marking a major expansion in education ties between the two countries.Addressing a joint press conference with British counterpart PM Modi, said “From defence and security to education and innovation, new dimensions are being added to India-UK relations.”“Today, the largest and most impactful education delegation is visiting with PM Keir Starmer. It is a matter of great joy that nine UK universities are now set to open campuses in India,” PM Modi added.Calling India and the UK “natural partners,” the Prime Minister said the relationship was rooted in shared democratic values and mutual trust.“Mutual trust in values like democracy, freedom and rule of law lies in the foundation of our relations. In the current era of global instability, this growing partnership between India and UK has been an important base for global stability and economic progress,” he added.PM Modi made the remarks during a joint press conference with UK PM in Mumbai after delegation-level talks between the two leaders.According to a press release the visit included, “A Letter of Intent for the opening of Lancaster University’s campus in Bengaluru. In-principle approval for the University of Surrey to establish a campus at GIFT City.”Starmer, who arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday said that, “The demand for the best quality higher education is very high. So. I am really pleased to announce that more British Universities will be setting up campuses in India, making Britain India’s leading international provider of higher education and delivering on our vision 2035.”“When we leave later tonight, I expect that we will have secured major new investments, creating thousands of high-skilled jobs in the sectors of the future, for both of our nations,” he added.PM Modi held extensive talks with Starmer in Mumbai, focusing on strengthening cooperation in trade, defence, security, and critical technologies.Starmer, accompanied by a 125-member delegation of top UK business leaders, entrepreneurs, and educationists, arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday for a two-day visit aimed at deepening bilateral ties.His visit comes two and a half months after India and the UK signed a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) during PM Modi’s visit to London in July. The deal, expected to boost market access, cut tariffs, and double bilateral trade by 2030, was described by Starmer as a “launchpad for two-way growth.”“We signed a major trade deal with India in July — the best secured by any country — but the story doesn’t stop there,” Starmer said. “With India set to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2028, and trade between us becoming faster and cheaper, the opportunities for growth are unparalleled,” he noted.
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