Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the fringes of the G7 Summit in Evian, on Tuesday (June 16, 2026).
“Had a wonderful meeting with PM Keir Starmer in Evian. The last year has been outstanding as far as India-U.K. relations are concerned. The trade deal has opened many avenues of economic cooperation,” Mr. Modi said, adding that the conversation focused on further adding momentum to U.K.-India ties. The deal, while signed, has not yet been operationalised.
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The meeting comes as Mr. Starmer’s political future is in question – with a byelection on Thursday (June 18, 2026) that could put a potential contender for his post, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, back in the U.K. Parliament. Under Mr. Starmer, the Labour Party underwent a reset and renewal of its ties with the Indian government (especially the Modi government) and Hindu Britons, among whom it was losing traction. The Starmer government also finalised and signed a Free Trade Agreement with India in July 2025, after years of negotiations.
Mr. Starmer and Mr. Modi began by reflecting on the peace deal struck between the United States and Iran on Sunday, and paid tribute to President Trump’s efforts, and all partners involved, to secure a way forward,” according to a Downing Street spokesperson. The two leaders agreed that the Strait of Hormuz should now be opened without tolls and with full freedom of navigation, the spokesperson said.
Mr. Modi also met with the ruler and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MbZ). The discussions involved ways to strengthen the partnership, as per Mr. Modi. The Prime Minister said he thanked the UAE for taking care of the Indian expatriate community. The UAE has been hit multiple times by Iran in recent months since the West Asia conflict began at the end of February, with one Indian killed in March.
Mr. Modi had met MbZ in May as India and the UAE announced a significant expansion in security and defence cooperation. The ties have grown in recent years, with a trade deal signed in 2022 and in the light of Pakistan’s mutual defence agreement with Saudi Arabia. The UAE had also agreed to participate in building India’s strategic reserves of oil, LNG and LPG.
Published - June 17, 2026 12:16 am IST
India / United Kingdom / United Arab Emirates / France / diplomacy
Source: The Hindu - India News
