India’s ties with the UK are at an interesting crossroads. Regardless of the direction taken, relations seem poised to move in an upward trajectory.
| Relevancy for Prelims: Location of UK, BREXIT, Economic and Trade Relations between India and UK, Strategic and Defense Cooperation and, other Cooperative Areas and Challenges.
Relevancy for Mains: India-UK Relations– Historical Background, Collaborative Areas, Challenges, and Future Prospects. |
Historical Context and Recent Developments
- Long Intertwined Histories: India and the UK have shared a complex historical relationship spanning centuries.
- In 1947, India was declared independent from British colonialism.
- In 1950, India decided to remain in the Commonwealth of Nations after becoming a Republic.
- In 2004, the bilateral relationship was upgraded to a strategic partnership.
- In 2010, the relations were elevated to “Enhanced Partnership for the Future”.
- Brexit Impact: The Brexit process initially led to a lack of attention on bilateral ties between India and the UK.
- Post-Brexit Focus: After Brexit, India plays a key role in the UK’s “Global Britain” aspirations.
- 2022 Upgrade: Ties were upgraded to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.
Enroll now for UPSC Online Course
Role of Political Dynamics
- UK Elections: General elections are held in UK (predicted Labour Party to be victory)
- Labour Party Shift: Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn perceived as antagonistic towards India.
- However, the Labour Party under Keir Starmer seeks closer relationships with India and the British Indian community.
- British Indian Community: 1.8 million people contribute over 6% to the British economy.
India-UK Economic and Trade Relations
- Current Trade: Current bilateral trade is almost £40 billion.
- FTA Negotiations: India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations aim to double bilateral trade by 2030.
- Benefits for India include textiles, apparel, and gems sectors.
- Challenges: India’s high tariffs (100-150% on automobiles and scotch whiskies), UK’s desire for greater access to Indian services market, and India’s seek for greater mobility for skilled professionals.
India-UK Strategic and Defense Cooperation
- Indo-Pacific Tilt: The evolving strategic landscape of the Indo-Pacific has resulted in a British pivot towards the Indian Ocean.
- This is documented in the UK’s Integrated Review Refresh (IR Refresh 2023) strategy that reinforces the UK’s “Indo-Pacific tilt”, and emphasizes cooperation with “like-minded” partners such as India to support a rules-based order.
- Joint Activities: Joint military exercises, enhanced naval interoperability, collaboration in maritime domain awareness, counterterrorism cooperation, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) activities.
- Ajeya Warrior Exercise, Konkan Exercise and Indradhanush Exercise are joint military exercises between India and UK.
- Defense Spending: UK plans to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030.
- In 2023, the bilateral relations upgraded to 2+2 mechanism.
Technology and Innovation Cooperation
- Artificial Intelligence: Collaboration in critical areas including Al.
- Semiconductors: British firm SRAM & MRAM Technologies pledged Rs 30,000 crore investment in India’s semiconductor ecosystem.
- Computing: Cooperation in high- performance computing.
- Cyber Security: Enhanced Cyber Partnership and annual Cyber Dialogue
Check Out UPSC CSE Books From PW Store
Other Collaboration Areas
- On Climate Action: Both countries are collaborating to strengthen research and design partnerships aimed at decarbonisation.
- On Cybersecurity: Both nations cooperate through an Enhanced Cyber Partnership.
- Besides the US, Britain is the only country with whom India holds an annual Cyber Dialogue.
- Additionally, fintech, telecom, startups and higher education are important areas.
Geopolitical Considerations
| Issue |
UK Stance |
Impact on India-UK Relations |
|
|
- Epoch-defining and systemic challenge
|
- Aligns with India’s concerns
|
|
|
- Different on Ukraine issue
|
- Not significant for bilateral relations
|
- Historical irritants (Pakistan and Khalistan issues)
|
|
- Improving overall relationship
|
Future Prospects
- Cooperation: Potential for smoother cooperation under new Labour leadership.
- Free Trade Agreements (FTA): Both countries are advancing for FTA negotiations.
- Global Role: The UK as a P5, G7 and Five Eyes member continues to enjoy outsized global influence, while India is the world’s fastest-growing economy and most populous country.
Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes
Conclusion
With Brexit finally out of the way, the India-UK partnership has begun to blossom. However, there is uncertainty about Britain’s commitment to Indo-Pacific tilt, and hence requires a collective approach for the Indo-Pacific. There is also a wide scope to increase cooperation in defense and technology sharing.
July 5, 2024
