Starmer Rules Out Visa Deal With India Ahead of Trade-Focused Visit

Britain will not pursue a visa agreement with India, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday, as he seeks to strengthen economic ties following this year’s landmark trade deal.

Starmer begins a two-day trip to India on Wednesday, leading a business delegation to promote the free trade agreement — finalized in May, signed in July, and set to take effect next year.

Speaking to reporters en route to New Delhi, Starmer made clear that visas would not be on the agenda when he meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. “That isn’t part of the plans,” he said. “This visit is to take advantage of the free trade agreement that we’ve already struck. Businesses are taking advantage of that. But the issue is not about visas.”

The Labour leader’s stance reflects his broader effort to project a tougher position on immigration amid growing domestic concern over migrant numbers. His party is trailing the populist Reform UK party in recent polls, and Starmer has been under pressure to demonstrate control over borders.

He ruled out visa relaxations even for tech professionals, despite growing demand from British businesses and recent U.S. fee hikes on H-1B visas under President Donald Trump. Still, Starmer emphasized his desire to attract “top talent” to the UK through existing routes.

Asked whether he would restrict visas for countries that refuse to take back deportees or foreign criminals, Starmer said that was not an issue with India, given an existing returns agreement, but added it remained under review. “We are looking at whether there should be a link between visas and returns agreements,” he said.