‘Don’t Worry, Use English’: PM Modi Smiles As Translator Struggles With Hindi At UK Presser

Last Updated:July 24, 2025, 20:41 IST

PM Modi and UK PM Starmer shared a light moment with a translator at a press conference after signing the India-UK Free Trade Agreement, set to boost bilateral trade.

The India UK free trade agreement was signed by commerce ministers of the countries in presence of PM Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer. (Bloomberg)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer on Thursday shared a candid moment with a translator when she seemingly struggled to translate a sentence from English to Hindi.

The incident took place when Starmer was addressing a joint press conference after signing the landmark India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) at Chequers. As he was speaking,  the translator following the speech began to fumble.

Amid this, PM Modi lightened the mood by reassuring the struggling Hindi translator mid‑session. Commenting on the translator’s falter, he quipped, “Don’t bother, we can use English words in between. Don’t worry about it." To this, the translator is heard apologising to him.

“Sorry His Excellency… I’ve lost the speech," she confessed.

“Yeah… no problem," PM Modi said and Starmer offered to repeat himself.

His relaxed tone echoed over the microphone and signalled camaraderie between the two leaders.

The UK Prime Minister then rescued the translator by saying that PM Modi and he understand each other well enough to move past. “I think we understand each other well…" he smiled.

A video of the candid moment shared by news agency ANI has garnered widespread attention from netizens.

India-UK FTA

Earlier today, PM Modi, who is on a two-day visit to UK, hailed the signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), saying that it is a historic day in the bilateral relationship of both the countries.

While addressing the joint presser, PM Modi said that a comprehensive economic trade agreement has been completed today and Indian textile, footwear, gems, jewellery, seafood will get better access in UK market.

“Today marks a historic day in our relations. I am delighted that after the hard work of several years, today our two nations have signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement," he said as quoted by news agency ANI.

While hailing the agreement, PM Modi further emphasised on the creation of new job opportunities saying that this agreement will especially benefit Indian youth, farmers, fishermen and MSME sector.

“This Agreement is not just an economic agreement but also the plan for a shared prosperity. On one side, Indian textile, footwear, gems and jewellery, seafood and engineering goods will get better market access in the UK. On the other hand, for the people of India and industry, products made in UK like medical devices will be available at reasonable and affordable prices," he added.

New Delhi and London inked a major agreement in the presence of Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds.

The deal will significantly improve market access and will boost bilateral trade by around $34 billion annually. The FTA is projected to double bilateral trade by 2030, from the current $60 billion mark.

The FTA is expected to benefit 99% Indian exports from tariff and will make it easier for British firms to export whisky, cars and other products to India besides boosting the overall trade basket, according to officials as reported by news agency PTI.

The trade deal, firmed up after three years of negotiations, is expected to ensure comprehensive market access for Indian goods across all sectors and India will gain from tariff elimination on about 99% of tariff lines (product categories) covering almost 100% of the trade values.

(With inputs from agencies)

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...

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