United Kingdom your no. 1 partner for finance, fintech: Keir Starmer

Mumbai: United Kingdom PM Keir Starmer invited Indian fintech innovators and investors to expand in UK while speaking at the Global Fintech Fest 2025. "We want the UK to be your number one partner of choice for finance and fintech," Starmer said in his first visit to India. He has also set an ambitious goal to make UK as world's leading partner for finance and fintech innovation. In a parallel address at the same event, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Sanjay Malhotra underscored the "immense opportunities" for collaboration between the fintech industries of India and the UK, noting that the partnership could generate benefits extending "beyond bilateral gains."

Highlighting deepening business ties, Starmer noted that UK-based firms such as Revolut, Wise, and Tide are investing and expanding operations in India. HSBC, he said, is launching an innovation banking hub and expanding into 20 new cities, while Standard Chartered has opened a new global business services hub in Chennai.

At the same time, leading Indian fintech players are looking to the UK for growth opportunities


"Superstars of Indian fintech like Razorpay, Perfios, Cred, and Paytm - which is planning to invest in the UK - are increasingly going global," he said. "I'm here to extend an invitation to all of you to do business with Britain, to see the UK as your gateway to going global." Starmer emphasised his government's commitment to strengthening the UK's fintech ecosystem through strategic investments in digital infrastructure, data sharing, and AI adoption.

"We are delivering fast-track authorisations, streamlined compliance, and new visa routes to attract top global talent," he added.

Malhotra highlighted the growing synergy between the two nations' fintech ecosystems, pointing out that several UK-based firms are launching operations in India and integrating with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to develop innovative cross-border payment solutions. "These collaborations can deliver benefits beyond bilateral gains," he said. "They can set new benchmarks for inclusion, efficiency, and trust in digital finance globally."