Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 31 July held a phone call with newly appointed United Kingdom Prime Minister Andy Burnham, with both leaders committing to deepen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across technology, defence, clean energy, and trade. The call marks the first substantive bilateral engagement between the two leaders since Burnham assumed office.

What the Two Leaders Agreed On

'Delighted to speak with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Andy Burnham. Congratulated him on assuming office and conveyed my best wishes for a successful tenure. We agreed to work together across sectors such as technology, innovation, defence, security, clean energy, education and people-to-people ties and take the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to new heights,' Modi wrote on X following the call.

Modi also highlighted the economic dimension of the partnership, noting that both sides would 'collaborate closely to fully harness the trade and investment opportunities presented by the recently operationalised India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, for the shared prosperity and well-being of both our people.'

What the UK Side Said

According to a statement issued by 10 Downing Street, Burnham opened the conversation by reflecting on the depth of the UK-India relationship and its tangible impact on communities across the United Kingdom. He outlined his ambitions to advance the partnership through the UK-India Vision 2035 framework and stronger people-to-people connections.

The statement noted that Burnham praised the contribution of Indian communities in the UK to British society. Modi, in turn, drew a personal connection between the two leaders' home cities — Manchester and Ahmedabad in Gujarat — calling Ahmedabad 'the Manchester of India.'

Trade, Technology, and the Middle East

On trade, Burnham underlined the value of the recently introduced Free Trade Agreement between the UK and India, which is expected to generate new economic opportunities on both sides. He also set out his personal commitment to the UK-India Technology Security Initiative, with both leaders identifying artificial intelligence (AI) as a key area for future collaboration.

The two leaders also discussed the situation in the Middle East, agreeing to continue working together toward de-escalation and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Both expressed a desire to meet in person at the earliest opportunity.

Background: A Partnership Already in Motion

This call builds on a message Modi sent last week congratulating Burnham on taking office, in which he noted that the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) had already entered into force. 'With CETA entering into force this month, our bilateral partnership is poised to grow even stronger,' Modi had written on X at the time.

Notably, the India-UK relationship has been on an upward trajectory, with the trade agreement representing years of negotiation. The renewed political momentum under Burnham's leadership could accelerate implementation across sectors that have long been identified as priorities — from semiconductors and green energy to education exchanges and defence procurement.

Both leaders are expected to speak again soon, with an in-person meeting on the horizon.