Reuters.
While Starmer is seeking to generate growth, political opponents criticised the deal for provisions it had on business mobility and social security amid public concern over immigration.
The free trade deal provides for easier mobility of certain professionals, while under a separate pact workers no longer have to make social security contributions in both India and Britain during temporary postings in the other country.
Kemi Badenoch, a former trade minister who now leads the opposition Conservative Party, said she had refused to sign a similar deal because of India's demands on visa requests and social security.
Britain's trade minister Jonathan Reynolds said the social security pact created a level playing field for India, and emphasised that Britain had rejected requests on more visas for students under the talks.
"There is no impact on the immigration system of the deal that we have agreed," Reynolds told reporters, saying there were only "modest changes" on business mobility.
He said the deal involved gaining certainty for services over the regulations they faced, but efforts to include legal services in the deal came up short.
Meanwhile, financial services will be covered by talks over a bilateral investment treaty. While negotiations on that treaty were conducted in parallel with free trade talks, differences remain and so talks will continue.