Swing and miss at times, but we play with straight bat, says Modi on India-Britain ties

PM Modi on Thursday drew a cricket analogy to describe the deepening relationship between India and the UK, following the signing of the FTA between the two countries.

In a joint press conference with UK PM Keir Starmer, Modi said, “For both India and the UK, cricket is not just a game but a passion and also a great metaphor for our partnership...There may be a swing and a miss at times, but we always play with a straight bat! We are committed to building a high-scoring, solid partnership.”

PM Modi’s remarks come as the Indian men’s cricket team is currently playing in the UK. They are engaged in the fourth test of a five-match series against England at Old Trafford, Manchester.

Modi also thanked the UK Government for standing in solidarity with India after the Pahalgam attack and expressed condolences for the British nationals who died in a tragic air crash in Gujarat.

Highlighting the strength of people-to-people ties, PM Modi praised the Indian diaspora in the UK. “People of Indian origin who live in the UK act as a living bridge in our relations. They don’t just bring curry from India but also creativity, commitment and character. Their contribution is not restricted to the economy, but is also seen in culture, sports and public service,” he noted.