UK Prime Minister to Visit Mumbai as City Unveils New Airport and Metro Line
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit Mumbai for high-level talks with PM Narendra Modi, focusing on the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The visit coincides with the inauguration of major infrastructure projects in the city. PM Modi will inaugurate Phase 1 of the ₹19,650 crore Navi Mumbai International Airport, India's largest greenfield airport, and a new 33.5-km underground metro line. These projects are set to significantly enhance Mumbai's transportation network and economic capacity.
Unpacked:
The India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is an agreement to deepen cooperation in areas like trade, defense, climate, and technology. It aims to strengthen bilateral ties, boost economic growth, and address global challenges collaboratively.
The airport, with an initial capacity of 20 million passengers per year and advanced features, is expected to reduce congestion at Mumbai’s main airport, improve connectivity, and support economic growth through increased passenger and cargo capacity.
The 33.5-km underground metro line will enhance urban mobility, reduce road congestion, and provide a faster, more reliable public transport option for Mumbai, connecting key areas and supporting the city’s economic expansion.
The airport project is developed by Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd., with a 74% stake held by the Adani Group and 26% by Maharashtra’s land authority CIDCO, under a public–private partnership model.