6 UK Universities To Open Campuses In India : PM Narendra Modi

In an effort to boost their respective economies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer signed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) today, July 24, 2025, at Chequers, the British prime minister's official country residence. 

The agreement is anticipated to double bilateral trade from 60 billion euros to 120 billion euros by 2030 by lowering or eliminating trade tariffs, which will accelerate both nations' economic growth.

In order to foster reciprocal progress, the FTA aims to open up Indian markets for engineering goods, textiles, footwear, diamonds, and seafood to the UK. "The cost of doing business will go down, and confidence of business will go up," added Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

PM Narendra Modi discussed the recent opening of Southampton University's campus in Gurugram, India, as well as the opening of six new British campuses in India during their meeting today to sign the FTA. 

"Friends, Together, the two nations are also authoring a new chapter in the field of education. Six institutions in the UK are establishing campuses in India. The Southampton University was opened only last week in the Indian city of Gurugram.

On July 16, 2025, Southampton institution became the first international institution to open a campus in India when it launched its campus in Gurugram.

With their connection being elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic collaboration in 2021, India and the UK have a strong collaboration that is centered on important areas including trade, defense, energy, education, and people-to-people contacts.

In 2024, the UK government stated that its exports to India totaled 17.1 billion euros, while India's exports to the UK totaled 25.5 billion euros. As of the end of the fourth quarter of 2024, India was the eleventh largest trading partner of the United Kingdom, with a total trade of 42.6 billion euros in goods and services (exports plus imports).