India and UK elections: what to expect if Kier Starmer is elected?

The 2024 UK general elections are expected to generate political tremors, but they're unlikely to be felt in India. Rishi Sunak, the first British-Indian PM of the UK, is likely to be voted out to make room for Labour Party leader Keir Starmer.

A Free Trade Agreement has been long due between India and the UK. While the process was nearly complete under Sunak, a win for the Labour Party might mean another delay.

The Labour Party, too, favours an FTA with India but did not provide a timeline for the same. A manifesto released by them read, "We will seek a new strategic partnership with India, including a free trade agreement, as well as deepening cooperation in areas like security, education, technology and climate change.”

The Labour Party has been focused on highlighting how they stand ready to get the FTA over the line after the Tories missed their Diwali 2022 deadline.

“Many Diwalis have come and gone without a trade deal and too many businesses have been left waiting," David Lammy, the party’s shadow foreign secretary, said in his address at the India Global Forum (IGF) in London last week.

The fate of students wishing to study in the UK also hangs in the balance. While Sunak has taken a tough stance on immigration, it is likely that Starmer's election may bring some relief.

Also Watch: Who is Keir Starmer, UK PM Rishi Sunak's biggest competitor and his likely successor?