India, UK agree to deepen strategic partnership across tech, defence, trade
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday and congratulated him on assuming office. During the call, both leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation across technology, innovation, defence, security, clean energy, education and people-to-people ties.
In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi said the conversation was productive and that the two countries would work to take the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to new heights.
“We agreed to work together across sectors such as technology, innovation, defence, security, clean energy, education and people-to-people ties and take the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to new heights,” PM Modi said. “We will also collaborate closely to fully harness the trade and investment opportunities presented by the recently operationalised India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, for the shared prosperity and well-being of both our people.”
The India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was established in 2021, during the virtual summit between PM Modi and the then UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The partnership focuses on enhancing bilateral cooperation in areas such as defence, security, trade, climate change, and migration.
The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) has been operationalised after several rounds of negotiations. The agreement is expected to reduce tariffs on a wide range of goods and improve market access for services, benefiting businesses and consumers in both countries. Bilateral trade between India and the UK currently stands at approximately $50 billion annually, and the new agreement is aimed at significantly boosting this figure.
The UK is home to a large Indian diaspora of more than 1.5 million people, which serves as a vital bridge between the two nations. The people-to-people ties, along with growing economic and strategic cooperation, form the foundation of the relationship.
The agreement is seen as a key element in the UK's post-Brexit strategy to forge stronger trade ties with fast-growing economies. From India's perspective, the UK is an important gateway to Europe, and the agreement is expected to enhance market access for Indian goods and services.
During the call, PM Modi emphasised the importance of a strong India-UK partnership in the current global scenario. Both leaders expressed a commitment to work closely on issues of mutual interest, including global security and economic stability. The two countries have also deepened their defence collaboration in recent years, including joint military exercises such as Konkan and Ajeya Warrior.
India and the UK have a long history of diplomatic and economic engagement. In recent years, the relationship has been revitalised with a focus on shared democratic values, rule of law, and a commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2021, was a milestone in this journey.
The operationalisation of the trade agreement is a significant achievement. It comes after extensive discussions covering a wide range of sectors, including goods, services, and investment. For Indian businesses, the agreement opens up new opportunities in the UK market, while UK companies will benefit from India's rapid economic growth and large consumer base.
Both leaders also acknowledged the importance of collaboration in clean energy and digital technology, which are crucial for sustainable development. The partnership is expected to drive innovation and create jobs in both countries.
The conversation marks a positive step in bilateral relations, which have seen steady improvement in recent years. The new momentum is expected to further strengthen ties between the two democracies.
The Prime Minister’s Office said that both leaders looked forward to maintaining regular contact and working together on shared priorities. Further details of the conversation were not disclosed.
