Starmer’s Mumbai mission: exploring a digital ID blueprint
Labour leader Keir Starmer is in Mumbai on a two-day visit aimed at examining India’s digital ID system as a potential blueprint for the United Kingdom. Describing Aadhaar as a “massive success,” Starmer signaled openness to a UK-adapted version of a digital identification system that could streamline public services and reduce bureaucratic friction.
What Starmer is looking to learn
During his trip, Starmer held talks with Nandan Nilekani, the non-exec chair of Infosys, to gain a better understanding of how India has implemented a nationwide digital ID and how it supports the welfare system. A spokesman clarified that the discussions were not about a commercial arrangement with Infosys but about drawing lessons for a UK public-sector version of the scheme.
Starmer explained that the UK’s approach would differ: there is no plan to copy India’s biometric-heavy model, and the British design would prioritize inclusivity and a voluntary framework rather than mandatory use in private services. He empahsised that any UK system would be designed with public confidence in mind and aim to relieve everyday friction, such as retrieving multiple documents for school enrollment or benefit applications.
From India’s Aadhaar to UK policy: what would change
India’s Aadhaar system, which assigns a 12-digit ID linked to biometrics and personal data, has become a cornerstone for access to banking, government benefits, and other services. Proponents argue it has reduced administrative costs and corruption while speeding up essential transactions. Critics, however, have raised concerns about privacy, data protection, and the risk of exclusion for vulnerable groups.
UK advocates argue that a tailored UK digital ID could modernize public services, improve eligibility checks, and curb illegal working. Starmer stressed that any compulsory elements would be contextual, with a strong emphasis on voluntary usage and privacy protections in the British design.
Controversies and public sentiment
Public support for digital ID in the UK has fluctuated. Recent polling indicated a drop in backing following Starmer’s initial announcements, underscoring the sensitivity around data security and civil liberties. In India, the debate continues as well: while the system has delivered tangible efficiencies, it has faced accusations of disenfranchisement and unequal access among some communities. The UK government faces a parallel challenge in balancing efficacy with robust safeguards.
What happens next for UK policy?
Starmer stated that the UK must consider a careful, inclusive consultation to determine whether and how a digital ID could serve as a “passport” for services like work, housing, and education, while remaining voluntary for most citizens. He also noted the broader political dimension: the UK’s ability to secure returns arrangements and tackle illegal working will influence support for more stringent identity checks across the economy.
Broader implications for UK-India relations
The trip underscores a broader interest in technology-driven governance across the UK-India relationship. Beyond the public sector, Starmer’s engagement signals a willingness to explore how Indian tech and policy experiences can inform UK reforms, especially in welfare delivery and public administration.
Bottom line
Starmer’s visit to Mumbai frames digital ID as a potential tool for simplifying government services and boosting public confidence in a modernized welfare system. While inspired by India’s Aadhaar, the UK’s path would be distinctly designed to meet British values of privacy, inclusivity, and voluntary participation, with a careful balance between security and civil liberties.
