Starmer rolls out red carpet for Indian firms, fintechs to invest in UK

UK PM Keir Starmer invites Indian firms and fintechs to expand in Britain, promising a red-carpet welcome, faster authorisations, and new visa routes for talent

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday said the UK will roll out the red carpet for Indian companies seeking to create jobs, drive growth, and succeed in the country, while also encouraging UK firms to expand and thrive in India. He added that the UK aspires to be India’s partner of choice in finance and financial technology (fintech).

 

Speaking at the Global Fintech Fest 2025, Starmer said, “I am here to extend an invitation to all of you to do business with Britain, to see the UK as your gateway to going global. If you want to create great jobs and growth, we are rolling out the red carpet. We want leading Indian firms to flourish in the UK, taking their business global. And British firms selling into India are growing and thriving here too.”

 

 

Starmer highlighted that the UK offers unparalleled connectivity and hosts the only trillion-dollar tech sector outside the US and China.

 

“We are making the UK an even better place for fintech innovation by investing in digital infrastructure, data sharing, and artificial intelligence,” he said, adding that the UK is delivering fast-track authorisations, streamlined compliance, and new visa routes to attract top global talent.

 

The UK is also creating a new office for investment and financial services and a dedicated concierge service for international firms entering the UK.

 

Starmer said that several UK-based fintechs are expanding in India, and UK banks with operations here are growing their business. “UK companies like neobank Revolut are investing and expanding in India. Wise (formerly TransferWise) has launched a new debit card. Tide (digital-only finance platform) has opened offices nationwide. HSBC is launching an innovation banking hub, expanding into 20 new cities. Standard Chartered has opened a global business services hub in Chennai,” he said, adding that some Indian fintech majors, including Razorpay, Perfios, Cred, and PayTM, are increasingly looking out to the world, with PayTM also planning to invest in the UK.

 

Referring to the trade deal signed in July, Starmer called the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement a major milestone — the biggest deal the UK has done since leaving the European Union and India’s most ambitious trade agreement.

 

“It will add billions of pounds to our GDP, hundreds of billions of rupees to yours, and boost wages as well,” he said. “The trade deal is a huge win for both nations, reflecting our shared belief in the power and potential of this partnership to grow our economies and skills together.”

 

Starmer also highlighted achievements in the India-UK partnership: Oxford, AstraZeneca, and the Serum Institute delivered over a billion coronavirus vaccine doses, while GlaxoSmithKline and Bharat Biotech developed the world’s first successful malaria vaccine.

 

He even referenced the legendary collaboration of Godfrey Harold Hardy and Srinivasa Ramanujan, whose work on prime numbers helped shape modern encryption and the fintech industry. “It’s a remarkable story,” he said.

 

“The UK and India are natural partners. We're both world leaders in fintech. We have the second- and third-largest fintech sectors globally. Our trade and services have doubled over the last four years, and our trade agreement provides a launchpad to go even further,” Starmer added.