Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer shared a light-hearted moment when a translator appeared to struggle while translating a sentence from English to Hindi during the signing of the landmark free trade agreement (FTA) on Thursday in the UK.
The incident happened when both the leaders were addressing the press, a translator began hesitating mid-sentence while translating Starmer’s remarks about the “historic” trade deal. “Sorry…” she said, fumbling for words, speaking hesitantly about the trade deal benefitting consumers in the UK. Noticing her discomfort, PM Modi quickly stepped in: “Don’t bother… we can use English words in between. Don’t worry about it.”
The translator thanked him, clearly relieved. “Sorry, His Excellency… I’ve lost the speech,” she added. Both leaders smiled and offered comfort. “Yeah… no problem,” Modi said, while Starmer offered to repeat himself. “I think we understand each other well,” he added with a grin.
#WATCH | “Don’t bother, we can use English words in between. Don’t worry about it,” says PM Narendra Modi candidly as translations for questions and answers were made at their press statement and the journalists’ questions that followed.
“I think we understand each other well,”… pic.twitter.com/VUe2wqQllG
— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2025
India-UK trade deal
The trade deal, signed in London, is the UK’s biggest post-Brexit agreement and one of India’s most significant in recent years. It will remove British tariffs on 95 per cent of Indian farm and food items — such as turmeric, pepper, cardamom, mango pulp and pickles — boosting profits for Indian farmers and helping both countries’ manufacturing and tech sectors.
Lauding the trade deal, PM Modi said in a post on X: “A new chapter begins today in the India-UK economic partnership! The signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) reflects our shared commitment to enhancing trade, driving inclusive growth and creating opportunities for farmers, women, youth, MSMEs, and professionals.”
Starmer also wrote, ‘A landmark deal with India means jobs, investment and growth here in the UK. It creates thousands of British jobs, unlocks new opportunities for businesses and puts money in the pockets of working people. That’s our Plan for Change in action.”
