India and the UK have made significant strides in their bilateral relationship, particularly in trade, defense, technology, and investment. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s recent visit to the UK underscored a renewed push to finalize the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which had stalled due to elections. Talks with UK officials, including Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, focused on accelerating trade negotiations and strengthening strategic ties.
The India-UK 2030 Roadmap, launched in 2021, aims to enhance cooperation across five pillars: trade, defense, security, climate, and health. Recent progress includes the UK’s launch of a Defense Partnership-India cell and new defense deals between Indian and British firms. Military ties have deepened, with joint exercises and collaboration in naval propulsion systems. Meanwhile, technology and infrastructure initiatives, such as the Technology Security Initiative and UK-India Infrastructure Financing Bridge, further highlight growing economic and technological cooperation.
However, challenges persist. The UK’s visa and mobility rules remain a point of contention, as does India’s demand for carbon tax exemptions. The Khalistan issue has also strained ties, with India criticizing Britain’s handling of security threats from pro-Khalistani groups. While UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sought to distance himself from past Labour Party positions on Kashmir and India-related matters, his government must address these complex issues to ensure the success of Vision 2030.