"I think we understand each other well": UK PM Starmer, PM Modi share light moment at joint presser
As translations were being provided for questions and answers during the interaction, Prime Minister Modi, in a candid remark, said, "Don't bother, we can use English words in between. Don't worry about it."
Explore courses from Top Institutes in
Please select course:
Select a Course Category
Project Management
Leadership
others
Artificial Intelligence
MBA
CXO
healthcare
PGDM
Finance
Technology
Operations Management
Management
Degree
Public Policy
Healthcare
Data Analytics
Digital Marketing
Data Science
Product Management
Design Thinking
MCA
Others
Cybersecurity
Data Science
Skills you'll gain:
Portfolio Management
Project Planning & Risk Analysis
Strategic Project/Portfolio Selection
Adaptive & Agile Project Management
Duration:
6 Months
IIT Delhi
Certificate Programme in Project Management
Starts on
May 30, 2024
Get Details
Skills you'll gain:
Project Planning & Governance
Agile Software Development Practices
Project Management Tools & Software Techniques
Scrum Framework
Duration:
12 Weeks
Indian School of Business
Certificate Programme in IT Project Management
Starts on
Jun 20, 2024
Get Details
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded with a smile, saying, "I think we understand each other well."
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Gentle Japanese hair growth method for men and women's scalp
Hair's Rich
Learn More
Undo
The friendly exchange set the tone for the rest of the interaction, where Prime Minister Modi used a cricket analogy to describe the India-UK partnership. He said, "There may be a swing and a miss at times but we always play with a straight bat," adding that both countries are committed to building a high-scoring, solid partnership.
PM Modi
's remarks, made during joint press statements with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, came as India and the UK signed the
Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
and the two leaders endorsed India-UK
Vision 2035
.
Live Events
The Indian Test cricket team is on a visit to England, and the series is seeing an intense struggle between bat and ball.
"I would be remiss not to mention cricket when India and the UK are coming together, especially during a Test series. For both of us cricket is not just a game but a passion. And also, a great metaphor for our partnership," PM Modi said.
"There may be a swing and a miss at times. But we always play with a straight bat. We are committed to building a high scoring solid partnership. The agreements concluded today, along with our Vision 2035, are milestones that carry forward this very spirit," he added.
PM Modi, who was on a two-day visit to the UK, said that day marks a historic milestone in India-UK bilateral relations.
"I am pleased that, after years of dedicated efforts, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between our two countries has been concluded today. This agreement is more than just an economic partnership; it is also a blueprint for shared prosperity. On the one hand, it paves the way for enhanced market access in the UK for Indian textiles, footwear, gems and jewellery, seafood, and engineering goods," he said.
"It will also unlock new opportunities for India's agricultural produce and processed food industry. Above all, this agreement will be especially beneficial for India's youth, farmers, fishermen, and the MSME sector. On the other hand, UK-made products such as medical devices and aerospace components will become more accessible and affordable for Indian consumers and industries," he added.
PM Modi said that alongside the trade agreement, a consensus has also been reached on the Double Contribution Convention.
"This will inject new momentum into the service sectors of both countries, particularly in technology and finance. It will enhance the ease of doing business, reduce operational costs, and boost confidence of doing business. Additionally, the UK economy will benefit from access to skilled Indian talent," he said.
"These agreements will boost bilateral investment and generate new employment opportunities in both countries. Moreover, these agreements between two vibrant democracies and major global economies, will also contribute to strengthening global stability and shared prosperity," he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
5 minutes ago
- India.com
What China And Global Media Are Saying About PM Modi's Visit To Maldives
New Delhi: On July 26, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 60th Independence Day celebrations of Maldives as the chief guest. His presence at the event grabbed headlines not only in India and Maldives, but across the world. The visit stood out for several reasons. Maldives' President Mohamed Muizzu had built his 2023 election campaign around the slogan 'India Out'. After coming to power, he had sent strong signals distancing the country from India. He also moved swiftly to forge closer ties with China. His early months in office were marked by a decision to send back Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives. This was viewed in New Delhi as a potential pivot toward Beijing. That same leader has now invited the Indian prime minister as guest of honour at the nation's biggest official event. The symbolism was unmistakable. It marked a moment that was closely tracked in foreign capitals, especially as China continues its attempts to deepen influence across the Indian Ocean region. Chinese State Media Responds Beijing's Global Times, a state-run publication, published a commentary criticising the tone of Indian media coverage surrounding the visit. According to the publication, some Indian platforms had portrayed the trip as a strategic setback for China and a diplomatic win for India. In its analysis, the Global Times accused Indian media of engaging in zero-sum thinking, suggesting that any gain for India must mean a loss for China. It cited comments from Qian Feng, director at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, who argued that the Maldives naturally prioritises relations with its neighbours but also pursues a diversified foreign policy, including engagement with China's Belt and Road Initiative. 'These approaches are not in conflict,' he said. Singapore and U.S. Media Weigh In Singapore-based Channel News Asia headlined its coverage: 'India's Modi reshapes ties with Maldives.' Their report highlighted how Modi's visit included new infrastructure partnerships, financial commitments and signs of renewed warmth between the two countries. PM Modi inaugurated a new defense ministry building and Indian-funded projects and announced economic support. According to Channel News Asia, the visit was viewed in New Delhi as reassurance that Maldives would not drift too far into China's orbit. The channel highlighted how Muizzu's early months had raised concerns after he ordered the withdrawal of Indian military personnel. The Washington Post echoed this view. In a detailed report, the paper called the two-day trip 'strategically vital' and said it pointed to India's broader goals of asserting presence across key sea routes in the Indian Ocean. It highlighted the announcement of a $565 million line of credit from India to fund development projects. The publication said the visit may mark the beginning of a shift toward restoring normalcy in bilateral ties. A Look From the UK British daily The Independent took a broader view, framing the visit in the context of recent diplomatic turbulence. The publication emphasised that tensions had risen after the Indian government promoted Lakshadweep as a tourism hub, which some in the Maldives perceived as an attempt to redirect Indian tourists away from their beaches. Celebrities in India had even called for a boycott of Maldives as a travel destination. The report added that President Muizzu chose to visit China before making a trip to India, something that had not gone unnoticed in New Delhi. Muizzu's post-China announcement about reducing dependency on India for essentials like medicines and food also drew concern. But things began to improve when Muizzu attended Modi's swearing-in ceremony earlier this year. That visit set the stage for a gradual warming of ties, culminating in the current trip. A New Phase for India-Maldives Relations Pakistan's Express Tribune said Modi's visit ended on a note of clarity and mutual affirmation. It quoted President Muizzu calling the trip 'a defining moment' in relations between the two nations. In social media posts shared at the conclusion of the visit, Muizzu acknowledged the importance of people-to-people ties and long-term cooperation across sectors. In a reciprocal message, PM Modi said India would stand by the people of Maldives in their aspirations. Germany's Deutsche Welle (DW) provided a strategic lens on the visit. It emphasised Maldives' critical location along shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean. Despite its image as a tourist haven, the report described Maldives as a 'geopolitical hotspot' nestled across 1,192 islands. DW pointed out how this geography has made it a focal point in the growing rivalry between India and China. Their report argued that the region is becoming less about leisure and more about maritime strategy and political influence. What Experts Are Saying According to a commentary by Aditya Shivamurti, associate fellow at Observer Research Foundation (ORF), Maldives' policy initially leaned strongly toward China. He explained how 'India Out' had dominated discourse in 2023, and India's presence was sharply reduced. But by 2024, Shivamurti observed a shift. The domestic economic situation in Maldives worsened. Parliamentary dynamics changed. Chinese promises failed to meet expectations. These developments pushed Muizzu to reassess foreign policy. The analysis added that India responded with pragmatism. It avoided escalation and focused instead on diplomatic engagement and support. In return, the Maldives leadership began acknowledging India's critical role in areas like health, development and infrastructure. ORF's report concluded that both countries are now trying to separate foreign policy from domestic politics. While the Maldivian Democratic Party has historically been seen as pro-India and the ruling PNC as leaning toward China, Muizzu seems to be moderating that binary. He has taken steps to respect India's sensitivities, and India, in turn, has extended support. As per Shivamurti's view, the visit was more than symbolic. It was a recalibration. It offered not just headlines, but signs that pragmatism, diplomacy and shared interests are still possible in a region crowded by rival influences.
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
Backwardness Index: 71% BCs caught in deep backwardness
Hyderabad: As the proposed enhancement of reservations for Backwards Classes (BC) occupies a central place in the state's political discourse, the Backwardness Index (BCI) has revealed important insights. The index, created by a group of experts using data sourced from the Social, Economic, Educational, Employment, Political, and Caste Survey (SEEPC), shows that 71% of the 134 BC sub-castes were close to deep backwardness on the composite BCI. The BCI is a unique initiative designed to assess the socio-economic status of various communities in the state. The findings, to be discussed at the cabinet meeting on Monday, which are in the exclusive possession of TOI, indicate that 243 communities have been assigned scores ranging from 0 to 126, with an average score of 81. In the composite backwardness index, a higher score (126) signifies a greater degree of backwardness, indicating significant barriers to progress, while a low score (0) reflects relative advancement and improved living conditions. The scores of a staggering 99% of Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, 97% of Scheduled Caste (SC) communities, and 71% of Backward Classes (BC) reflected more backwardness (above 81%), highlighting significant struggles across 42 evaluated parameters for these communities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute Navy Quest Undo Notably, none of the forward castes, including forward castes within the Muslim community, have an average score below 81, indicating that they are exempt from the levels of backwardness reflected in this study. However, sources indicate that, in practice, no caste has been able to achieve either the maximum score of 126 or a zero across the board. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Telangana has 59 sub-castes among Scheduled Castes (SC) and 33 sub-castes among Scheduled Tribes (ST). The caste survey has revealed that non-Muslim Backward Classes (BC) make up 46.25% of the population or 1,64,09,179 individuals. Additionally, Muslim BCs account for 10.8% of the population, which corresponds to 35,76,588. When combining these two groups, the total population representing Hindu, Muslim, and Christian converts from SCs is 56.33%. The expert committee has meticulously identified 42 essential parameters from a comprehensive survey questionnaire, which delve into crucial aspects such as literacy rates, educational attainment, and patterns of asset ownership. These parameters are methodically arranged along a spectrum that categorises groups from 'most backward' to 'least backward,' providing a nuanced understanding of social stratification. To deepen this analysis, several sub-indices have been developed, each targeting specific dimensions of backwardness. These include the social backwardness index, which examines community cohesion and social networks; the gender backwardness index, highlighting disparities in gender equality; the educational backwardness index, focused on access to and quality of education; the occupational backwardness index, which assesses employment opportunities and job types; and the living conditions index, evaluating factors such as housing quality and access to essential services.
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
Opposition to land pooling increases as support remains limited to AAP leadership
Jalandhar: If voices from Punjab's rural areas, especially among farmers and their organisations, are getting louder against land acquisition policy, voices in support of the policy are confined only to a section of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership. There are no organic voices yet from urban areas supporting the policy. Unlike the farm protest at Shambhu border, which led to the blockade of the vital National Highway 44 for close to a year, and where there were voices from trade, industry, and urban areas for lifting the blockade, there are no such voices from urban areas speaking in support of the land pooling scheme. The crackdown on the protest at the Shambhu border helped the ruling party get support from trade and industry sectors, and this became evident during the Ludhiana West byelection. Even when it comes to community, caste, social and economic levels, no section has yet started speaking out in support of the policy. There are quite a few videos that have been widely shared on Punjabi social media space, in which farmers have issued warnings to AAP supporters to face serious physical consequences if they come to their villages to explain the policy. BKU (Doaba) president Manjit Singh Rai, whose land is coming under the land pooling policy in Hoshiarpur district, publicly said he would not let anybody entering his land escape unscathed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 70% off | Shop Sale Libas Undo A similar warning has been given by farmers from villages near Jalandhar. With opposition to the policy now becoming 'political correctness' among farmers, AAP may face an uphill task in getting farmers who can publicly speak in support of the scheme. From the govt side, along with chief minister Bhagwant Mann, ministers Aman Arora, Harpal Cheema, Hardeep Singh Mundian, Sanjeev Arora, and MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer have defended the policy. A few office bearers have also given interviews to a few YouTube channels to defend the policy. However, most of the MLAs or constituency in-charges, whose constituencies have areas coming under the land pooling policy, have confined themselves to sharing the party's pro-policy statements or videos, instead of giving their own statements or going to the villages whose land is covered under the scheme. These were mainly the rural areas of Punjab which provided the greatest push to the urban-centric AAP in the 2014 parliamentart election, due to the peculiar political situation in the state. In the 2022 assembly elections, the party swept equally in rural and urban areas. Now, with farm groups, opposition parties, Punjabi activists, and netizens pushing the counter-narrative across rural Punjab, much beyond the villages whose land is coming under it, the task for AAP is getting tougher.
