Meet Keir Starmer! Know how relations with India be affected if he takes charge as UK PM?

Keir Starmer is a prominent British politician and the leader of the Labour Party since April 2020. Starmer is all set to become the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after a thorough exit poll predicts that the centre-left Labour Party will win the general election in Britain with a resounding victory. According to CNN, this result puts an end to the Conservative Party's Rishi Sunak’s 14-year rule and puts Labour leader Keir Starmer in a position to become prime minister shortly.

The exit poll, conducted by Ipsos for BBC, ITV, and Sky, predicted Labour would capture 410 seats, relegating the Conservatives to a mere 131 seats. This landslide marks a clear rebuke of the ruling party by British voters, an anticipated outcome amidst mounting discontent.

All about Keir Starmer

Early Life and Education: Born on September 2, 1962, in Southwark, London, Keir Starmer was named after the Labour Party founder Keir Hardie. He studied law at the University of Leeds and then at St Edmund Hall, Oxford.

Legal Career: Starmer had a distinguished career as a lawyer, specializing in human rights. He was appointed Queen's Counsel (QC) in 2002. In 2008, he became the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), serving until 2013.

Political Career: Starmer was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Holborn and St Pancras in 2015. He served in the Shadow Cabinet under Jeremy Corbyn as Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union.

Leadership of the Labour Party: After Jeremy Corbyn stepped down following the 2019 general election, Starmer won the Labour leadership contest in April 2020. He has since focused on repositioning the party and addressing internal divisions.

Policy Focus: Starmer has emphasised the need for economic reform, social justice, and rebuilding trust in the Labour Party. He has also been a vocal critic of the Conservative government's handling of issues like the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit.

Keir Starmer is known for his legal acumen, commitment to public service, and efforts to modernize and strengthen the Labour Party.

How relations with India be affected if Keir Starmer takes charge?

Keir Starmer becoming the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom could have several implications for India, considering the historical, economic, and political ties between the two countries. It is anticipated that there could be renewed efforts to finalise a UK-India Free Trade Agreement. Starmer’s government might focus on strengthening economic ties and increasing bilateral trade.

Apart from this, it will also focus on bilateral ties that will help encourage British companies to invest in India and vice versa. 
In addition to this, potential changes in visa policies can also be seen, particularly for students and skilled workers. Starmer’s Labour Party may advocate for more relaxed immigration rules, which could benefit Indian professionals and students.

A continued or increased focus on the Indo-Pacific region, with the UK potentially supporting India’s strategic interests in the area, may also be witnessed. It may also focus on strengthening defence cooperation, including joint military exercises and defence technology sharing.

While these are potential areas of impact, the actual effects would depend on the specific policies and priorities set by Starmer’s government and how they align with India's interests and strategies.