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)

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 8, 2025--

Resecurity, a global cybersecurity and threat intelligence company trusted by Fortune 100 enterprises and government agencies, has joined the U.S.-Saudi Business Council (USSBC) as a Chairman’s Circle member — the Council’s highest membership tier that brings together industry leaders advancing innovation, defense, and cross-border investment between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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Founded in 1993, the U.S.-Saudi Business Council is the first and only institution created specifically to advance private-sector partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States. With offices in Washington, D.C. and Riyadh, the Council connects senior executives, investors, and policymakers from leading American and Saudi organizations across diverse sectors. Its mission is to facilitate partnerships, foster innovation, and strengthen the economic relationship that underpins the long-standing U.S.-Saudi alliance.

“Joining the Chairman’s Circle aligns with our long-term commitment to Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation and to trusted cross-border partnerships,” said Gene Yoo, CEO of Resecurity. “Cybersecurity is a prerequisite for economic growth and modern digital ecosystem. We look forward to contributing intelligence-driven capabilities that help protect critical infrastructure, financial systems, and innovation initiatives across the Kingdom and the broader region.”

Charles S. Hallab, President and CEO of the U.S.-Saudi Business Council, said: “We are pleased to welcome Resecurity as a Chairman’s Circle member. Their commitment to strengthening cybersecurity capabilities aligns well with the Council’s mission of advancing high-impact U.S.–Saudi partnerships. We look forward to their engagement and to the contributions they will bring to our members and the broader business community.”

This step builds on Resecurity’s ongoing collaboration with the Council and partners from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, underscoring cybersecurity as one of the key drivers of national resilience, digital sovereignty, and technology excellence in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.

About U.S.-Saudi Business Council

The U.S.-Saudi Business Council, “the Council,” was established as a non-profit organization in 1993 as a spin-off of the U.S.-Saudi Arabian Joint Economic Commission, a technical assistance initiative between the Saudi Ministry of Finance and National Economy and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. To learn more, visit https://ussaudi.org.

About Resecurity

Resecurity® is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified endpoint protection, fraud prevention, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence platform. Known for providing best-of-breed, data-driven intelligence solutions, Resecurity’s services and platforms focus on early-warning identification of data breaches and comprehensive protection against cybersecurity risks. Founded in 2016, it has been globally recognized as one of the world’s most innovative cybersecurity companies with the sole mission of enabling organizations to combat cyber threats regardless of how sophisticated they are. Most recently, by Inc. Magazine, Resecurity was named one of the Top 10 fastest-growing private cybersecurity companies in Los Angeles, California. Resecurity is a member of InfraGard National Members Alliance (INMA), AFCEA, NDIA, SIA, FS-ISAC, and multiple American Chambers of Commerce globally, including AmChamKSA. To learn more, visit https://resecurity.com.

Resecurity Joined the U.S.-Saudi Business Council as a Chairman's Circle Member