India, Oct. 8 -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently ruled out any relaxation of visa rules for Indian nationals, even as he arrived in Mumbai to promote a new UK-India Free Trade Agreement signed in July.

Speaking to journalists on a flight to Mumbai, Starmer said it "isn't part of the plans" to open up more visa spots for Indian workers, adding that demands from business to allow more highly skilled workers from India to come to the UK will be resisted.

The message comes despite mounting concerns from British industry leaders, including some travelling with Starmer on this trip, that tighter immigration policies are exacerbating labour shortages in critical sectors.

Starmer was joined on the trip by 125 business and cultural...