PM Modi to visit UK to sign Free Trade Agreement, Maldives next to mend strained ties

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, July 19, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the United Kingdom to sign the Free Trade Agreement and then make an onward journey to the Maldives, in key two-nation tour starting July 23 to 26.

His visits are aimed at boosting India’s bilateral and trade ties with the UK and repairing New Delhi’s strained relations with the Maldives.

The Prime Minister would begin his two-nation visit from the United Kingdom on July 23 and 24. He will sign the India-UK FTA in a landmark development in diplomatic ties between the two nations. The deal is expected to affect most of the Indian goods sold to the UK by lowering taxes on them. It will also make it easier for British products like whisky and cars to be sold in India.

Negotiations were on for three years between India and the UK, which focused on improving market access and making trade easier and better for both countries.

The India-UK free trade agreement is expected to significantly increase the variety of goods traded between the two nations. Both India and the UK aim to build a stronger economic partnership and boost overall cooperation by slashing trade restrictions.

PM Modi will then travel to the Maldives on July 25 for a two-day visit, where he will be the chief guest at the 60th National Day celebrations. President Mohamed Muizzu had extended an invitation to PM Modi to attend the occasion.

This will be PM Modi’s first visit to the country since bilateral relations worsened mainly due to “India Out" campaign by some Maldivian leaders and Muizzu’s pro-China stance. Muizzu is now seeking to mend ties with India.

This visit is seen as an important chance to clear up ongoing issues, strengthen cooperation, and show India’s commitment to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy in the Indian Ocean Region. He had last visited the Maldives for a one-on-one meeting in June 2019.

Muizzu visited India in October last year, in his first bilateral visit to India since coming to power.

In early 2024, the Maldives expelled Indian troops from aviation platforms and suspended agreements on helicopters.

A social media spat broke out when PM Modi promoted Lakshadweep tourism on X. Three Maldivian deputy ministers responded with offensive remarks, worsening the crisis.