Mumbai, October 9
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart, Keir Starmer, witnessed the rendition of Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh's 'Sapphire' on Thursday.
PM Modi lauded the musicians for their classical rendition of British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and Indian playback star Arijit Singh's 'Sapphire' song.
"Wonderful rendition of Ed Sheeran & Arijit Singh's Sapphire, which is a great example of India-UK cultural partnership!" PM Modi said in a post on X.
PM Modi shared a video capturing the musical moment he and Keir Starmer enjoyed together following their keynote addresses at the Global Fintech Fest. The two leaders witnessed the performance at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai.
https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1976251378008748084
Starmer, who is on his first visit to India as UK Prime Minister, held bilateral discussions with PM Modi in Mumbai earlier on Thursday.
PM Modi stressed that India's dynamism and the UK's expertise combine to create a unique synergy.
"India's dynamism and the UK's expertise combine to create a unique synergy. Our partnership is trustworthy, talent- and technology-driven," PM Modi said during the press statements by the two leaders.
He also recalled the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement signed between the two countries during his visit to London in July this year.
"Under the leadership of PM Starmer, India and UK relations have seen significant progress. In July this, during my visit to UK, we signed the historic Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)," he said.
The Prime Minister noted that with the CETA agreement, the import costs between the two countries will decrease, and new employment opportunities will be generated for young people.
He stated that trade between the UK and India is also expected to increase, which will boost India's industries and consumer demand.
"With this Agreement, (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement), the import cost between the two countries will come down, new employment opportunities will be generated for the youth, trade will increase and this will benefit our industries and consumers. Your visit to India within just a few months of signing the Agreement, with the biggest business delegation ever accompanying you, is a symbol of the new vigour in India-UK partnership," the Prime Minister said.
On the first day of his visit to India, Keir Starmer visited Yash Raj Films Studios, where he met with Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji.
Starmer announced that three major productions from India's leading film studio, Yash Raj Films (YRF), will be shot across locations in the United Kingdom starting in 2026.
"Bollywood is back in Britain, and it's bringing jobs, investment and opportunity, all while showcasing the UK as a world-class destination for global filmmaking. This is exactly the kind of partnership our trade deal with India is destined to unlock - driving growth, strengthening cultural ties and delivering for communities across the country," Starmer said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Great to see cultural diplomacy in action. But I hope the CETA agreement actually delivers on the promised employment opportunities for our youth. The trade deal needs to benefit ordinary Indians, not just big businesses.
Arijit Singh's voice combined with classical instruments - what a treat! This is the soft power India should leverage more often. Cultural exchanges like this build stronger relationships than just politics.
As someone living in Mumbai, it's exciting to see our city hosting such important international events. The Jio World Centre is becoming a real hub for global diplomacy and culture.
Bollywood shooting in UK locations will create great exposure for both countries. Our film industry has so much potential to showcase Indian culture globally while creating economic opportunities.
The trade agreement sounds promising, but implementation is key. Hope the reduced import costs actually translate to lower prices for consumers and not just higher profits for companies.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.