PM Modi Meets with King Charles III in UK and Warmly Invites Him to Visit India
On July 24, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a major diplomatic meeting with King Charles III at Sandringham Estate, the King’s summer home in Norfolk, UK. The gathering highlighted the growing partnership between the two countries and was a part of Modi’s two-day visit to deepen India-UK ties. In a move that underscores the strengthening cultural and economic ties and lays the groundwork for future cooperation, Modi warmly invited King Charles III to India for a state visit.
From bilateral relations to common priorities like sustainability and health, the leaders covered a wide range of subjects. Modi set a positive tone for the discussions by expressing his happiness over King Charles III’s recovery from his 2024 cancer diagnosis and his return to royal duties. Modi’s demonstration of a Davidia involucrata “Sonoma” sapling, also referred to as the handkerchief tree, as part of his “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, which promotes planting trees in mothers’ honor, was a major highlight. The sapling, which will be planted at Sandringham this autumn, represents India’s dedication to environmental sustainability, a cause that is very important to the King.
The signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between India and the UK, which is expected to increase bilateral trade by $34 billion a year, was celebrated at the meeting. Both leaders pointed out that the deal, which was signed by UK Commerce Minister Jonathan Reynolds and India’s Piyush Goyal, will ease tariffs on UK exports like cars and whisky while lowering duties on 99% of Indian exports, including textiles and pharmaceuticals. Modi gave the King an update on India’s progress in renewable energy, highlighting solar and wind projects. He also discussed cooperation on Ayurveda, Yoga, and Mission LIFE to advance sustainable living around the world.
Modi and King Charles III discussed ways to further common objectives in health, education, and climate action during their talks on bolstering Commonwealth ties. During his fourth trip to the UK since 2015, Modi met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, where they discussed the CETA and their plans for a deeper strategic partnership in 2035. Modi gave young cricket players at Buckinghamshire Street Cricket Hubs a cricket bat signed by India’s T20 World Cup-winning team as part of the visit, which was welcomed with great enthusiasm by the Indian diaspora and strengthened interpersonal ties.
Following his private wellness retreat in Bengaluru in October 2024, King Charles III is weighing the invitation as interest in a possible royal trip to India in 2026 grows. Will the UK-India partnership be put to the test by global issues, or will this visit solidify a new era of cooperation? The world is eagerly awaiting this dynamic relationship’s next chapter.
