The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister concluded a two-day visit to India aimed at deepening bilateral relations and enhancing economic cooperation. The visit culminated in a joint statement outlining shared commitments and key outcomes of the discussions.

• The visit of U.K. Prime Minister followed India’s July 2025 visit to the UK, where both sides signed the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and adopted the India–UK Vision 2035 and Defence Industrial Roadmap.

Key Highlights of the Joint Statement

Economic and Trade Cooperation

• CETA Ratification: Both leaders expressed commitment to early ratification and implementation of the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
• JETCO Revival: The Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) has been reset to ensure effective governance of CETA and to drive broader economic cooperation.
• CEO Forum: The CEOs’ meet in Mumbai targeted a doubling of bilateral trade to ~$100 bn by 2030 (from ~US$56 bn), with UK officials also flagging £1.3 bn of India-to-UK investment announcements during the trip.

Technology and Innovation Partnership

• India–UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre: Developing AI-native 6G networks, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), and cybersecurity solutions with £24 million in joint funding.
• India–UK Joint Centre for Artificial Intelligence:  – Promoting responsible AI across health, climate, fintech, and engineering biology.
• Critical Minerals Guild: Strengthening mineral processing partnerships and securing green supply chains.
• Phase-II of Critical Minerals Observatory:  – Expanding coverage, technology integration, and establishing a satellite campus at IIT-ISM Dhanbad.
• Partnerships between UK’s Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) and India’s BRIC institutions in biomanufacturing and genomics.
• Joint projects between Henry Royce Institute–IISc and Oxford Nanopore–CDFD in 3D bioprinting and genomics research.

Defence and Security Cooperation

• Launch of a Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (RMSCE) under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
• Technological Collaboration: Agreement to develop maritime electric propulsion systems for Indian naval platforms.
  • Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) systems to be procured via government-to-government (G2G) route, supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat and co-development in complex weapons.
• Counter-Terrorism: Both sides reaffirmed zero tolerance for terrorism, condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, and committed to cooperation under UN and FATF frameworks.
  • Joint efforts include counter-radicalisation, cyber-terrorism prevention, and intelligence sharing.

Climate and Energy Transition

• Climate Finance Initiative: Launch of the India–UK Climate Finance Initiative to expand green investment and support startups.
• Climate Tech Startup Fund: Joint investment under the MoU between the UK Government and SBI, supporting AI and clean-tech entrepreneurs.
• Offshore Wind Taskforce: Established to advance offshore wind collaboration.
• Global Clean Power Alliance (GCPA): Commitment to explore joint participation for net-zero transition and renewable capacity building.

Education, Culture, and People-to-People Ties

• University Collaborations:
• • Nine UK universities expanding campuses in India.
  • University of Southampton inaugurated its Gurugram campus.
  • LoIs issued to University of Liverpool, York, Aberdeen, Bristol, Lancaster, and Surrey; Queens University Belfast and Coventry University approved for GIFT City campuses.
• Cultural Cooperation: Implementation of the Programme of Cultural Cooperation (2025) and launch of the Annual Strategic Education Dialogue.
• Migration and Mobility Partnership (MMP): Continued collaboration to ensure safe, legal migration and curb irregular movement.
• Diaspora Linkages: Both PMs acknowledged the Indian diaspora in the UK as a “living bridge” strengthening bilateral ties.

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Regional and Multilateral Engagement

• Reformed Multilateralism: Both sides reaffirmed support for UNSC reform, with the UK reiterating backing for India’s permanent membership.
• Commonwealth Cooperation: Joint work on climate, youth engagement, and sustainable development.
• Global Crises:
• • Support for peace in Ukraine in line with international law.
  • Shared stance on the Middle East, endorsing the US Gaza peace plan, ceasefire, humanitarian access, and progress toward a Two-State solution.

Significance of the Joint Statement

• Strategic Consolidation of India–UK Relations: The visit marks a turning point in post-Brexit UK diplomacy, showcasing India’s centrality to the UK’s global outreach under its “Global Britain” vision.
  • The signing of the India – U.K CETA and reaffirmation of Vision 2035 strengthen the foundation for a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership focused on growth, technology, and security.
• Economic and Trade Deepening: The CETA paves the way for greater market access, tariff reduction, and investment facilitation, potentially adding billions to bilateral trade.
  • The revival of JETCO and the CEO Forum reflects institutional strengthening for long-term business coordination
• Technological and Defence Cooperation: The establishment of joint technology hubs (for AI, 6G, cybersecurity, and biotechnology) enhances innovation linkages between Indian and UK research ecosystems.
  • The defence roadmap, including collaboration on electric naval propulsion and Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) signifies a shift from buyer-seller relations to co-development and co-production, advancing Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Education and People-to-People Linkages:
  • Approval of UK university campuses in India marks a milestone in internationalisation of higher education, enhancing research mobility and skill transfer.
  • Reinforcement of the Migration and Mobility Partnership (MMP) and recognition of the Indian diaspora further strengthen socio-cultural and economic bonds.
• Multilateral and Global Relevance:
  • The UK’s reiteration of support for India’s UNSC permanent membership boosts India’s diplomatic stature.
  • Common stances on Ukraine, Gaza, and counterterrorism demonstrate India’s growing role in shaping global norms and peace initiatives.

Conclusion

The 2025 India–UK Joint Statement is a strategic milestone, aligning both nations on trade liberalisation, technology leadership, and sustainable development. However, to transform intent into impact, both sides must overcome regulatory bottlenecks, synchronise standards, and institutionalise execution frameworks.

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