British and Indian prime ministers promote trade deal during visit by Starmer

NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his British counterpart Keir Starmer on Thursday in talks meant to deepen cooperation on trade, defense and technology while promoting a trade deal between the countries.

The talks in India's financial capital of Mumbai marked Starmer’s first official trip to India since taking office in July 2024. The two-day visit that began Wednesday comes as the Indian government increases efforts to attract global investment for the nation's rapidly expanding economy.

The prime ministers said Thursday’s meeting focused on pushing forward a trade agreement signed during Modi's visit to London in July and boosting cooperation in digital infrastructure, technology, defense, critical minerals and education. The two countries also signed a defense deal that will allow Britain to supply missiles, launchers and electric-powered engines for naval ships to India, the British defense ministry said in a statement.

The countries are natural partners and strengthening the partnership “is an example of stability in an uncertain world,” Modi said.

“India-U.K. partnership is becoming crucial foundation for global stability and economic progress,” Modi said, announcing the countries have reached an agreement on military training cooperation, while nine U.K. universities plan to open campuses in India.

Starmer is visiting India with a 125-member delegation that includes business, university and culture sector leaders. He said the trip was about “doubling down on the potential of the trade deal" that will drive growth and jobs in both countries.

“We are creating a new, modern partnership focusing on future,” Starmer said.

The trade agreement, which both nations said they aim to implement within the next year, will slash tariffs on products including Scotch whisky, English gin shipped to India, and Indian food and spices sent to the U.K. The British government said in a statement that the deal would raise bilateral trade by a further $34 billion and increase exports to India by nearly 60%.

Modi and Starmer also shared views on Indo-Pacific stability and discussed the war in Ukraine and developments in Gaza. Starmer hailed the first stage of a peace plan between Israel and Hamas, saying it brings “profound relief,” especially for hostages, families and civilians who have suffered over the past two years.

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi deliver a statement to the press at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai, India Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands after delivering a statement to the press at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai, India Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi walk through the gardens at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai, India, ahead of a bilateral meeting Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands after delivering a statement to the press at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai, India Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool Photo via AP)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left is greeted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai, India, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)

PRAGUE (AP) — A new Czech coalition government led by populist billionaire Andrej Babiš took office on Monday with an agenda to steer the country away from supporting Ukraine and reject some key European Union policies.

President Petr Pavel swore in the Cabinet at the Prague Castle, ending a pro-Western coalition under former Prime Minister Petr Fiala that made the country a staunch supporter of Ukraine and a haven for hundreds of thousands Ukrainian refugees.

Babiš, previously prime minister in two governments from 2017-2021, and his ANO, or YES, movement, won big in the country's October election and agreed to form a majority coalition government with two small political groups, the Freedom and Direct Democracy anti-migrant party and the right-wing Motorists for Themselves.

The parties, which share admiration for U.S. President Donald Trump, created a 16-member Cabinet. ANO holds eight posts and the prime minister’s office. The Motorists have four and the Freedom party three.

The political comeback by Babiš and his new alliance with two small government newcomers are expected to significantly redefine the nation's foreign and domestic policies.

Babiš is set to join the ranks of Viktor Orbán of Hungary and Robert Fico of Slovakia, whose countries have refused to provide military aid to Ukraine and which oppose EU sanctions on Russia.

Babiš has rejected any financial aid by his country for Ukraine and guarantees for EU loans to the country fighting the Russian invasion.

He already joined forces with his friend Orbán last year to create a new alliance in the European Parliament, the “Patriots for Europe,” to represent hard-right groups. Previously, he was a member of the liberal Renew group.

Babiš suggested his government would abandon a Czech initiative that has managed to acquire some 1.8 million much-needed artillery shells for Ukraine only this year on markets outside the EU.

The Freedom party sees no future for the Czechs in the EU and NATO and wants to expel most of 380,000 Ukrainian refugees in the country. The group does not consider Russia a threat and its members repeat its propaganda.

The Motorists, who are close to former euro-skeptic President Václav Klaus, rejected the EU Green Deal and proposed revivals of coal and relations with Slovakia, Hungary and Poland in an informal group known as V4 whose activities has been stalled over different views of the Russian war against Ukraine.

The Motorists, whose head Petr Macinka became the foreign minister, blamed the former government of damaging relations with Slovakia and Hungary.

The new government promised to present a plan to reduce electricity prices, revoke a pension reform and change the financing of the public radio and television that critics say would would bring the broadcasters under government control.

Czech Republic's Prime Minister Andrej Babis leaves the Prague Castle after his government was appointed in Prague, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Czech Republic's President Petr Pavel, center, and Prime Minister Andrej Babis, center left, pose for a family photo with newly appointed government members at the Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Czech Republic's President Petr Pavel, right, toasts with Prime Minister Andrej Babis after appointing his government members at the Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Czech Republic's Prime Minister Andrej Babis watches as his government members are appointed at the Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Leader of ANO political movement Andrej Babis addresses the media after being sworn in as the country's new prime minister at the Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)