London, UK

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Keir Starmer on Friday (Jul 5) for his "remarkable victory" in Britain's general election, but New Delhi will be keenly looking at the regime change and will also analyse what it means for India-UK ties. 

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In 2019, Labour passed an emergency motion on Kashmir at its annual conference which led to offence to some British Indians and India itself. 

The motion, which was passed under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, claimed that there was a humanitarian crisis in the Kashmir region. 

Also read: Why did Conservatives lose UK election so badly? How Labour return to power, ending 14-year Tory rule 

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The party had also claimed that the people of Kashmir should be given the right of self-determination and also called for international monitors to be allowed into the region. 

In a letter, then Labour Party chairman Ian Lavery promised that "the Labour Party will not take a pro-Indian or pro-Pakistan stance on Kashmir". 

The letter added, "We are adamant that the deeply felt and genuinely held differences on the issue of Kashmir must not be allowed to divide communities against each other here in the UK." 

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Also read: UK General elections 2024: How UK voted- Key constituency-wise winners and losers

"Kashmir is a bilateral matter for India and Pakistan to resolve together by means of a peaceful solution, which protects the human rights of the Kashmiri people and respects their right to have a say in their own future," he added. 

However, with time, a change in stance is also expected and Starmer is also certain that tensions must be eased considering the importance of the UK's relationship with a rapidly expanding economy such as India. 

During public speeches and meetings with the Indian diaspora, Starmer, in fact, underlined that Kashmir is an internal matter of India and will be handled by both neighbours. Labour Party's manifesto mentioned that it looks for a "new strategic partnership" with India. 

PM Modi has also said that he looked forward to "positive and constructive collaboration" with Starmer to foster "mutual growth and prosperity". 

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PM Modi praises Sunak 

Besides congratulating the Labour leader, PM Modi also praised Rishi Sunak for deepening bilateral ties. "Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to @Keir_Starmer on the remarkable victory," Modi wrote on the social media platform X.

"Thank you @RishiSunak for your admirable leadership of the UK, and your active contribution to deepen the ties between India and the UK during your term in office. Best wishes to you and your family for the future," he added. 

Meanwhile, Labour won some 412 seats, an increase of 211, while the Conservatives, lost about 250 lawmakers, including a record number of senior ministers and former Prime Minister Liz Truss. 

In a victory speech, Starmer said: "We did it". 

"Change begins now ... We said we would end the chaos, and we will, we said we would turn the page, and we have. Today, we start the next chapter, begin the work of change, the mission of national renewal and start to rebuild our country," he added. 

(With inputs from agencies)