Strategic partnerships, trade and maritime security top agenda during PM’s two-nation tour
Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins a two-nation diplomatic tour on Wednesday, visiting the United Kingdom and the Maldives to strengthen India’s strategic engagements across regions. The visit underscores New Delhi’s commitment to global and regional cooperation, particularly in trade, security, and innovation.
Modi’s UK visit, scheduled from July 23 to 24, comes at the invitation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This marks his fourth trip to Britain and reflects a continued focus on enhancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two democracies.
Key areas of discussion will include defence cooperation, bilateral trade, climate action, healthcare collaboration, and education. The India-UK Free Trade Agreement, which has been under negotiation for several rounds, is expected to feature prominently in the high-level dialogues. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, both sides will also deliberate on global and regional developments of shared concern.
The Prime Minister is also likely to meet King Charles III during the visit, further strengthening diplomatic and cultural ties between the two nations.
In the second leg of his tour, PM Modi will travel to the Maldives from July 25 to 26 at the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu. This will be Modi’s third visit to the Indian Ocean nation and marks the first official visit by any head of government during Muizzu’s presidency.
The timing of the visit is symbolic—it coincides with the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day on July 26, where PM Modi will attend the celebrations as the Guest of Honour. Bilateral talks are expected to focus on infrastructure development, maritime cooperation, and regional economic connectivity.
The visit will also serve to review the progress of the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership. This framework is central to India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and its Vision MAHASAGAR, aimed at expanding maritime cooperation with island and coastal nations in the Indian Ocean region.
As regional dynamics shift and global powers recalibrate their strategic partnerships, PM Modi’s dual visit to London and Malé is seen as a significant step in consolidating India’s influence through diplomacy, economic collaboration, and maritime strategy.
