E-Paper
PM Modi, Keir Starmer in attendance, singers perform Ed Sheeran–Arijit Singh's 'Sapphire' | Watch
PM Narendra Modi shared a video of the musical masterclass, calling the performance “a great example of India-UK cultural partnership”.
The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer took an unexpected musical turn when musicians performed a rendition of Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh's hit single Sapphire.
PM Modi shared a video of the musical masterclass, calling the performance “a great example of India-UK cultural partnership”.
“Wonderful rendition of Ed Sheeran & Arijit Singh’s Sapphire, which is a great example of India-UK cultural partnership!” PM Modi wrote.
Sapphire is a 2025 single by British popstar Ed Sheeran featuring a prominent collaboration with Indian playback singer Arijit Singh. The track blends Sheeran's Western pop sound with Indian and Punjabi musical influences, reflecting a cross-cultural theme. The song was released as the third single from Sheeran's eighth studio album, Play, in June 2025.
The rendition of the song for PM Modi and British PM Starmer had a more classical Indian touch, with instruments like the Sitar, tabla, and others. The performance left both the PMs in smiles.
‘New energy’ in India-UK ties
PM Narendra Modi on Thursday said there is a "new energy" in India-UK relations following high-level talks with his British counterpart Keir Starmer.
Keir Starmer, who is on his first visit to India as UK Prime Minister, held bilateral discussions with Modi in Mumbai. The talks focused on strengthening trade, technology cooperation, and strategic ties between the two nations.
“Under the leadership of PM Starmer, India and the UK relations have seen significant progress. In July this year, during my visit to the UK, we signed the historic Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA),” PM Modi said in a joint statement with Starmer.
Both leaders held a bilateral meeting in Mumbai, during which the UK leader pushed for the swift implementation of the free trade agreement that the two nations signed earlier this year.
After the meeting, PM Modi took to X to describe his meeting with his British counterpart.
“It was a delight to welcome my friend, PM Keir Starmer, at the Raj Bhavan in Mumbai. Being his first visit to India, it is surely a special occasion. The presence of the largest business delegation to India makes it even more special and illustrates the strong potential of India-UK ties,” he wrote on X.
