'Yes, we did it', Modi-Starmer hot mic hints at UK-India trade deal breakthrough | Follow

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer raised expectations that Britain had resolved the trade impasse with India as he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were caught on microphone at the G7 summit in France saying some form of agreement had been reached.

“We’ve done it,” Modi is heard telling Starmer as the two men meet on the sidelines of the meeting, with other leaders milling about. Starmer then replies, “We did it. Yes, yes, yes, I hear you. We’re over the line. So that’s good.”

What caused the delay in implementation?

While the subject of their conversation was not explicit, the exchange suggests they may be closer to resolving issues regarding a trade deal struck last year but not yet fully implemented. India initially blamed Britain’s parliamentary process for the delay, but recently officials in the Asian nation suggested they could delay progress due to disagreements over new UK steel safeguards.

India has said it may renegotiate some concessions under a free trade deal with Britain in response to the UK’s recent steel safety guarantees that will sharply reduce duty-free import quotas.

Next mic moment: How do we announce it today?

After an initial exchange between Starmer and Modi, an Indian adviser asks “how are we going to announce it today?”, with Starmer replying: “I think we’ve issued a statement.” The British Prime Minister then says “or could we do something more” before asking “Should I ask our teams how we should do this?

Starmer’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Starmer and Modi held a formal bilateral meeting at the G7 summit in Evian on Tuesday, but neither the British nor the Indian side mentioned the steel dispute.

“Leaders looked forward to the early entry into force of a comprehensive economic and trade agreement,” said a statement issued by the Indian government.