Guwahati, July 25: It was all Assam that captured the attention in London — both in the teacups and on the trade table.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer shared a moment over steaming cups of masala chai on July 24, it was a proud Assam-origin brew that took centre stage. The viral moment unfolded during their informal “Chai Pe Charcha,” where UK-based Indian entrepreneur Akhil Patel — founder of Amala Chai — served them tea that was “sourced from Assam, brewed in London.”
‘Chai Pe Charcha’ with PM Keir Starmer at Chequers…brewing stronger India-UK ties! @Keir_Starmer pic.twitter.com/sY1OZFa6gL
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2025
Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Government of India, Sarbananda Sonowal said on X- Where is the tea from-
Chai Pe Charcha in London!
But guess where the Tea is from? @narendramodi @Keir_Starmer#Assam #AssamTea #PMModiInUK pic.twitter.com/4KicqNOuwk
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) July 25, 2025
When PM Starmer asked what he had brought for them, Patel replied with pride: “Masala chai, sourced from India — tea from Assam, spices from Kerala.” As he listed the aromatic ingredients — cinnamon, nutmeg, and more — Patel handed the cup with a signature line: “From one chaiwala to another,” directed at PM Modi, referencing the Prime Minister’s humble beginnings. In Gujarati, he added that the Prime Minister would get a taste of Gujarat in Amala Chai.
Akhil Patel, who started Amala Chai, proudly declared that his tea was “sourced from India, brewed in London” when UK PM Starmer asked him what he had from them.
He is a London-based entrepreneur of Indian origin. He studied at University College School in Hampstead and later earned a BSc in Management at the London School of Economics (LSE)
After starting his career as a data analyst, in 2019, he pivoted to launch Amala Chai, inspired by his grandmother’s traditional masala chai recipe.
His brand sources single-origin tea and spices directly from small family farms in Assam and Kerala, promoting fair trade and organic practices while cutting out intermediaries.
However, the moment that stood out and, rightfully, got Patel the Internet’s attention was when he poured a rejuvenating cup of masala tea for PM Modi.
“From one chaiwala to another,” Patel sneaked in a witty remark as he served tea to PM Modi.
In Gujarati, he told PM Modi that he would be able to get a taste of Gujarat in Amala Chai.
And on the same day, India and the UK signed a historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that grants zero-duty access to Indian tea in the British market.
Hailing the FTA as a “big day for Assam’s tea industry,” Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “This is a game-changing moment for Assam’s tea. With the UK accounting for 5.6% of India’s tea exports, we can now compete on equal footing globally.”
The agreement removes long-standing tariff barriers that had favoured rivals like Kenya and Sri Lanka. Indian tea — particularly Assam tea, which makes up more than 50% of the country’s production — is now poised to make deeper inroads into one of the most quality-conscious tea markets in the world.
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