<p>British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has applauded India’s Aadhaar digital identification as a “massive success” and announced plans for a similar digital identity programme, the Brit Card, in the UK while drawing lessons from India’s experience for their own unique ID system. Unlike Aadhaar, Brit Card will not use biometric data and will initially target illegal employment. Starmer met Nandan Nilekani, Infosys co-founder and a key architect of Aadhaar, during his recent two-day visit to Mumbai and discussed how the system rapidly scaled to benefit nearly 1.4 billion citizens. Aadhaar assigns a unique 12-digit biometric ID to residents, streamlining access to welfare, banking, and other services while reportedly saving India billions in administrative costs.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>Brit Card will focus on curbing illegal employment</h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Starmer emphasised that the Brit Card will differ from Aadhaar by excluding biometric data and focusing initially on curbing illegal employment.</p><p>“I don’t know how many times the rest of you have had to look in the bottom drawer for three bills when you want to get your kids into school or apply for this or apply for that—it drives me to frustration,” he told reporters, highlighting the convenience digital IDs could offer.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Starmer also linked the Brit Card to immigration enforcement, stressing its role in tackling illegal working as part of broader migration agreements, including with France.</p><p>Right-wing parties have spotlighted gig economy platforms allegedly misused by undocumented workers. Despite controversies, Starmer expressed confidence that the UK could gain “a significant advantage” by learning from India’s successful digital ID model, aiming to build public trust while addressing employment and immigration challenges.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/massive-fire-breaks-out-at-dhaka-s-international-airport-all-flight-operations-suspended-1760789887198"><strong>Massive fire breaks out at Dhaka’s international airport; all flight operations suspended</strong></a></p><h2>Opposition parties, some Labour MPs raise concerns about privacy risks, govt overreach</h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The UK government has not yet partnered with private tech firms for the programme. Meanwhile, opposition parties and some Labour MPs have raised concerns about rising costs, privacy risks, and potential government overreach. Public support has reportedly declined since Starmer’s announcement amid fears of data breaches and civil liberties violations.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>While Aadhaar helps provide welfare and services, the Brit Card will have a different focus—initially targeting the prevention of illegal migrant workers—even as it faces significant public opposition over privacy concerns and fears of government overreach.</p><p>Aadhaar, launched over 15 years ago, now covers nearly 1.4 billion citizens and streamlines access to banking, welfare, and other services by assigning a unique 12-digit biometric ID number to residents. The system is credited with saving the Indian economy billions in administrative costs and corruption.</p>

Starmer also linked the Brit Card to immigration enforcement, stressing its role in tackling illegal working as part of broader migration agreements, including with France. Right-wing parties have spotlighted gig economy platforms allegedly misused by undocumented workers.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has applauded India’s Aadhaar digital identification as a “massive success” and announced plans for a similar digital identity programme, the Brit Card, in the UK while drawing lessons from India’s experience for their own unique ID system. Unlike Aadhaar, Brit Card will not use biometric data and will initially target illegal employment. Starmer met Nandan Nilekani, Infosys co-founder and a key architect of Aadhaar, during his recent two-day visit to Mumbai and discussed how the system rapidly scaled to benefit nearly 1.4 billion citizens. Aadhaar assigns a unique 12-digit biometric ID to residents, streamlining access to welfare, banking, and other services while reportedly saving India billions in administrative costs. Brit Card will focus on curbing illegal employment Starmer emphasised that the Brit Card will differ from Aadhaar by excluding biometric data and focusing initially on curbing illegal employment. “I don’t know how many times the rest of you have had to look in the bottom drawer for three bills when you want to get your kids into school or apply for this or apply for that—it drives me to frustration,” he told reporters, highlighting the convenience digital IDs could offer. Starmer also linked the Brit Card to immigration enforcement, stressing its role in tackling illegal working as part of broader migration agreements, including with France. Right-wing parties have spotlighted gig economy platforms allegedly misused by undocumented workers. Despite controversies, Starmer expressed confidence that the UK could gain “a significant advantage” by learning from India’s successful digital ID model, aiming to build public trust while addressing employment and immigration challenges. Also Read: Massive fire breaks out at Dhaka’s international airport; all flight operations suspended Opposition parties, some Labour MPs raise concerns about privacy risks, govt overreach The UK government has not yet partnered with private tech firms for the programme. Meanwhile, opposition parties and some Labour MPs have raised concerns about rising costs, privacy risks, and potential government overreach. Public support has reportedly declined since Starmer’s announcement amid fears of data breaches and civil liberties violations. While Aadhaar helps provide welfare and services, the Brit Card will have a different focus—initially targeting the prevention of illegal migrant workers—even as it faces significant public opposition over privacy concerns and fears of government overreach. Aadhaar, launched over 15 years ago, now covers nearly 1.4 billion citizens and streamlines access to banking, welfare, and other services by assigning a unique 12-digit biometric ID number to residents. The system is credited with saving the Indian economy billions in administrative costs and corruption.

<p>Starmer also linked the Brit Card to immigration enforcement, stressing its role in tackling illegal working as part of broader migration agreements, including with France. Right-wing parties have spotlighted gig economy platforms allegedly misused by undocumented workers.</p>

‘Impressed’ by India’s Aadhaar, PM Keir Starmer plans Brit Card for UK citizens

<p>On Wednesday, Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, visited Yash Raj Films (YRF) studio during his visit to Mumbai. During his visit, he met and interacted with Rani Mukerji and YRF CEO Akshay Widhani at the studio, and even sat at an editing console to understand the technical aspects of filmmaking. Photos and videos of his visit have been circulated on social media since yesterday, and one video, shared by YRF on social media, shows Starmer watching a song from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Starmer looked visibly impressed in the video.</p><h2>UK PM is spellbound by DDLJ song</h2><p>The video, shared by Yash Raj Films on their official Instagram handle, shows Keir Starmer sitting in a sound recording studio in front of the console as the iconic song ‘Tujhe Dekha To Ye Jaana Sanam’ from DDLJ plays. At one point, Starmer remarks that the song is 30 years old and then continues watching it, awestruck.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The song was first released in 1995 and became a love anthem for an entire generation of Indian millennials. It was picturized on Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, and sung by Kumar Sanu and Lata Mangeshkar. The film was shot in parts of UK, France and Punjab.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Directed by Aditya Chopra, the film became a blockbuster which remains iconic three decades on. The success of the film catapulted both Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan to superstardom. The longest-running film in history still has one show daily at Mumbai's Maratha Mandir theatre.</p>

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<p> </p><p>As YRF shared Starmer’s video, fans were quick to flood the comment section with how Starmer must have been impressed by SRK’s charm. One pointed out, “Shah Rukh winning hearts everywhere.”</p><h2>Keir Starmer's India visit</h2><p> </p><p>The British PM flew in from London earlier in the day, drove to the YRF Studios amid heavy police security. According to a release from the British High Commission, the PM's visit to a key Bollywood production hub aims at strengthening cultural ties and promoting collaboration between the British and Indian film industries.</p><p> </p><p>Starmer also announced that YRF would be shooting three films in England in 2026. The production house is also producing the English-language state musical adaptation of DDLJ, which is titled Come Fall In Love: The DDLJ Musical. </p>

UK PM Keir Starmer paid a visit to the YRF studio on Wednesday and was made to listen to DDLJ's iconic song Tujhe Dekha To Ye Jana Sanam. A video shared by YRF shows the leader looking visibly spellbound while listening to the song. 

On Wednesday, Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, visited Yash Raj Films (YRF) studio during his visit to Mumbai. During his visit, he met and interacted with Rani Mukerji and YRF CEO Akshay Widhani at the studio, and even sat at an editing console to understand the technical aspects of filmmaking. Photos and videos of his visit have been circulated on social media since yesterday, and one video, shared by YRF on social media, shows Starmer watching a song from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Starmer looked visibly impressed in the video. UK PM is spellbound by DDLJ song The video, shared by Yash Raj Films on their official Instagram handle, shows Keir Starmer sitting in a sound recording studio in front of the console as the iconic song ‘Tujhe Dekha To Ye Jaana Sanam’ from DDLJ plays. At one point, Starmer remarks that the song is 30 years old and then continues watching it, awestruck. The song was first released in 1995 and became a love anthem for an entire generation of Indian millennials. It was picturized on Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, and sung by Kumar Sanu and Lata Mangeshkar. The film was shot in parts of UK, France and Punjab. Directed by Aditya Chopra, the film became a blockbuster which remains iconic three decades on. The success of the film catapulted both Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan to superstardom. The longest-running film in history still has one show daily at Mumbai's Maratha Mandir theatre.

<p>UK PM Keir Starmer paid a visit to the YRF studio on Wednesday and was made to listen to DDLJ's iconic song Tujhe Dekha To Ye Jana Sanam. A video shared by YRF shows the leader looking visibly spellbound while listening to the song.&nbsp;</p>

'Shah Rukh winning everywhere': UK PM Keir Starmer looks awestruck watching DDLJ song during his visit to Yash Raj Films studios

<p>UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will begin his two-day trip to India on Wednesday (Oct 8). As he boarded the flight from London Heathrow Airport, he posed with his business delegation, who will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and promote the recently signed trade deal. While on board, Starmer in a surpise move, addressed to the co-passengers from the cockpit. Starmer will be in India’s financial capital Mumbai, between October 8th and 10th, and will be holding talks with PM Modi. During the visit, both leaders will attend the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2025. The visit of the UK PM comes just months after PM Modi visited the UK and signed the Free Trade Agreement with Britain - that aims to deepen economic ties between two of the largest economies on the planet.</p><h2>‘This is the Prime Minister in the cockpit’: UK PM&nbsp;</h2><p>In a video shared on his Instagram handle, Starmer said that he was in the cockpit and warmly welcomed everyone aboard BA flight 9100 to Mumbai. He mentioned that it was the largest trade mission to India that the UK had ever undertaken and expressed his enthusiasm about working together to explore and take full advantage of the opportunities in the new free trade agreement. “This is the Prime Minister in the cockpit. A very warm welcome to BA flight 9100 to Mumbai. It’s really fantastic to have you all onboard. This is the biggest trade mission to India that the UK has ever sent, so I am much looking forward to working with you as we explore all of the opportunities and take full advantage of the opportunities in our new free trade agreement. So, safe flight everybody. Enjoy the flight and I’ll give you further information once I’ve taken off," Starmer said.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨Keir Starmer addresses passengers from the cockpit of the British Airways Plane to India he&#39;s travelling on<br><br>Would definitely ruin your flight <a href="https://t.co/pSTNMnN99G">pic.twitter.com/pSTNMnN99G</a></p>&mdash; Basil the Great (@Basil_TGMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/Basil_TGMD/status/1975667180852420663?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>Meanwhile, the iconic Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters, Worli Sea Link and other major monuments in Mumbai was illuminated with the Indian and UK national flags to welcome the visiting UK Prime Minister Starmer to Mumbai. The dazzling display symbolised the enduring friendship and partnership between the two nations.</p>

UK PM Keir Starmer began a two-day India visit on Oct 8, leading the UK’s biggest trade mission. Before departing, he addressed passengers from the cockpit. In Mumbai, he’ll meet PM Modi and attend the Global Fintech Fest, aiming to strengthen UK-India economic ties post-FTA signing.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will begin his two-day trip to India on Wednesday (Oct 8). As he boarded the flight from London Heathrow Airport, he posed with his business delegation, who will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and promote the recently signed trade deal. While on board, Starmer in a surpise move, addressed to the co-passengers from the cockpit. Starmer will be in India’s financial capital Mumbai, between October 8th and 10th, and will be holding talks with PM Modi. During the visit, both leaders will attend the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2025. The visit of the UK PM comes just months after PM Modi visited the UK and signed the Free Trade Agreement with Britain - that aims to deepen economic ties between two of the largest economies on the planet. ‘This is the Prime Minister in the cockpit’: UK PM In a video shared on his Instagram handle, Starmer said that he was in the cockpit and warmly welcomed everyone aboard BA flight 9100 to Mumbai. He mentioned that it was the largest trade mission to India that the UK had ever undertaken and expressed his enthusiasm about working together to explore and take full advantage of the opportunities in the new free trade agreement. “This is the Prime Minister in the cockpit. A very warm welcome to BA flight 9100 to Mumbai. It’s really fantastic to have you all onboard. This is the biggest trade mission to India that the UK has ever sent, so I am much looking forward to working with you as we explore all of the opportunities and take full advantage of the opportunities in our new free trade agreement. So, safe flight everybody. Enjoy the flight and I’ll give you further information once I’ve taken off," Starmer said.

<p>UK PM Keir Starmer began a two-day India visit on Oct 8, leading the UK’s biggest trade mission. Before departing, he addressed passengers from the cockpit. In Mumbai, he’ll meet PM Modi and attend the Global Fintech Fest, aiming to strengthen UK-India economic ties post-FTA signing.</p>

'This is the PM in the cockpit': Keir Starmer addresses co-passengers in plane to India as he begins two-day state visit

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‘Impressed’ by India’s Aadhaar, PM Keir Starmer plans Brit Card for UK citizens

UK PM Keir Starmer looks awestruck watching DDLJ song | Watch

'This is the PM in the cockpit': Keir Starmer begins two-day India visit - WATCH