Archive · 31 Jul 2026
UK‑India Leaders Call to Strengthen Ties and De‑escalate Middle East
The new UK Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, and India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, talked on the phone for the first time.
They promised to work together on many things like trade, technology, and defence.
They also said they would help calm the Middle East and open the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for oil.
They talked about a new trade deal that makes it easier for businesses in both countries to trade.
Burnham praised Indian communities in the UK, and Modi called the city of Ahmedabad the "Manchester of India."
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held their first official phone call on 31 March 2024.
They pledged to deepen cooperation under the UK‑India Vision 2035 framework, covering technology, trade, defence, security, clean energy, education and people‑to‑people ties.
Both leaders agreed to work together on Middle East de‑escalation and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The call highlighted the recently operationalised India‑UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and the UK‑India Free Trade Agreement as key drivers of trade and investment.
Burnham praised the contribution of Indian communities in the UK and Modi described Ahmedabad as the "Manchester of India."
- Who
- UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- What
- First official phone call to deepen UK‑India cooperation
- When
- 31 March 2024
- Where
- Over the phone
- Why
- To strengthen bilateral partnership, expand trade, technology, defence ties and address Middle East tensions
- Leaders
- Andy Burnham, Narendra Modi
- Date
- 31 March 2024
- Event
- First official phone call
- Key Agreements
- Vision 2035, FTA, Technology Security Initiative, Middle East de‑escalation
- Strait of Hormuz
- Reopening discussed
