India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi today departed for an official visit to the United Kingdom and the Republic of Maldives from July 23-26, 2025. 

In his departure statement, released by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), PM Modi noted, “I am embarking on a visit to the UK and the Maldives,” adding that the visit aims to enhance India’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships (CSP) with both nations and reinforce cooperation in key sectors.

Visit to the United Kingdom (July 23–24, 2025) 

As per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Modi is visiting the United Kingdom at the invitation of UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This marks Modi’s fourth visit to the UK during his tenure, following earlier visits in 2015, 2018, and for COP26 in 2021.

According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, during the two-day visit, the Prime Minister will hold wide-ranging discussions with Starmer on the “entire gamut of India-UK bilateral relations,” and will also call on His Majesty King Charles III. Meetings with prominent CEOs and business leaders from both countries are also scheduled.

Misri added that the leaders will review progress on CSP, with a focus on trade and economy, technology and innovation, defense and security, climate, health, education, and people-to-people ties.

The visit comes as negotiations on the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) near conclusion. Speaking in London, Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram K. Doraiswami, stated: “The main negotiations have concluded, some paperwork still needs to be finalized, this is called ‘legal scrubbing’, to ensure that the agreement is legally sound.”

Misri also confirmed this, noting that final legal formalities are underway. The FTA is expected to be a key outcome of the visit, alongside discussions on cross-border security, including cooperation on extradition of economic offenders and shared concerns over extremist groups operating in the UK, including Khalistani outfits. 

He also flagged the presence of Khalistani extremists and their affiliated bodies in the UK, describing it as “a matter of concern not only to us, but it should be a matter of concern to our partners as well, because this impacts social cohesion and social order in these other countries.” 

On the issue of fugitives from Indian law residing in the UK, Misri noted that the matter has been under discussion between both sides. “We have continued to make the case for these fugitives to be rendered to India,” he said, while acknowledging that such requests are subject to the UK’s legal processes.

The MEA has also noted the recent US designation of The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy, as a global terrorist organization a move welcomed by both India and the UK in the context of counterterrorism cooperation.

Responding to a media query on the issue, Misri said, “I’m sure our UK colleagues are updated on this development,” referring to the U.S. action, adding that it offers an opportunity to deliberate further on cross-border terrorism and “the need to respond in a resolute fashion to such challenges.”

Visit to the Maldives (July 25–26, 2025)

Following his engagements in London, Modi will travel to the Maldives for a State Visit at the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu. The Prime Minister will be the Guest of Honor at celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of Maldives’ Independence on July 26, and 60 years of India-Maldives diplomatic relations.

As per the MEA, this will be Prime Minister Modi’s third visit to the Maldives, after earlier visits in 2018 and 2019. The visit reciprocates President Muizzu’s visit to India in October 2024, during which the two sides adopted a Joint Vision Statement for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership.

Misri stated that the visit is in line with India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, and “reflects the importance India attaches to its maritime neighbor.” During the visit, PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with Muizzu, inaugurate infrastructure projects, and launch new initiatives to further bilateral ties.

Official MEA briefing noted that India is currently one of Maldives’ largest trading partners, with bilateral trade approaching US $500 million. Talks are ongoing on a potential Free Trade Agreement and an Investment Protection Treaty. Indian investments are significant in tourism, infrastructure, renewable energy, and fisheries.

According to MEA figures, India continues to support major infrastructure projects in the Maldives, including the Greater Malé Connectivity Project, airport upgrades, fisheries projects, and social housing schemes. India has also provided economic support via currency swaps totaling US $400 million and INR 30 billion, and ongoing subscriptions to Maldivian treasury bills via the State Bank of India.

On the security front, India provides defense training, conducts joint naval exercises, and supports maritime domain awareness in the region through ships and surveillance assets.

Looking Ahead

Modi, in his PIB statement, expressed confidence that the visit will “yield tangible outcomes, benefiting our people and advancing our Neighborhood First Policy.”

Both the UK and Maldives visits underscore India’s growing diplomatic outreach and reaffirm its commitment to strategic and regional partnerships, as consistently highlighted by the Prime Minister’s Office, MEA, and India’s missions abroad.

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