India, July 23 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday enhancing economic cooperation and strengthening efforts aimed at peace and stability in the Indian Ocean will be the focus of his two-nation tour of the UK and the Maldives.

Modi departed for a two-day visit to the UK on Wednesday, with the formal signing of a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) set to the highlight of the trip. He will then travel to the Maldives during July 25-26 to be the guest of honour at the Indian Ocean archipelago's Independence Day celebrations, marking a significant turnaround after a particularly frosty patch in ties.

India and the UK share a comprehensive strategic partnership that has witnessed significant progress in recent years and bilate...