CONTEXT
The UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid his first official visit to India (08–09 October 2025). The visit followed PM Modi’s July 2025 UK visit, during which both sides signed the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), adopted the India–UK Vision 2035, and unveiled a Defence Industrial Roadmap. The October 2025 Joint Statement marks a consolidation phase of the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
MAIN FEATURES OF THE JOINT STATEMENT
| Domain | Key Announcements |
|---|---|
| Trade & Growth | Early ratification of CETA, resetting of JETCO, CEO Forum engagement |
| Technology | Expansion of Technology Security Initiative (TSI) covering AI, 6G, critical minerals |
| Defence | Maritime security, defence industrial cooperation, missile systems, naval propulsion |
| Climate & Energy | Climate finance initiative, offshore wind cooperation |
| Education | UK university campuses in India, strategic education dialogue |
| People Mobility | Migration and Mobility Partnership (MMP) |
| Multilateralism | UNSC reform, rules-based international order |
| Security | Counter-terrorism cooperation, FATF & UN coordination |
KEY AREAS OF COOPERATION
| KEY AREAS | DEVELOPMENTS |
|---|---|
| 1. Economic & Trade Cooperation | • Implementation and governance of CETA • Infrastructure, clean energy, advanced manufacturing • UK–India Infrastructure Financing Bridge (UKIIFB) • The resetting of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) |
| 2. Technology & Innovation | • India–UK Joint Centre for AI (responsible & trustworthy AI) • Connectivity and Innovation Centre for 6G, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), and cyber security for telecoms • UK-India Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory |
| 3. Defence & Security | • Joint military exercises and training: the Royal Navy’s exercise KONKAN with the Indian Navy • Maritime security under Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative including establishment of the Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (RMSCE) • Defence manufacturing and missile collaboration aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat(initial supply of Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) systems) |
| 4. Climate & Energy | • India–UK Climate Finance Initiative • Climate Tech Start-up Fund • Offshore wind cooperation(establishment of Offshore Wind Taskforce) and Global Clean Power Alliance |
| 5. Education, Culture & People-to-People Ties | • UK university branch campuses in India (GIFT City, Gurugram, Bengaluru): in-principle approval for opening campus of University of Surrey in GIFT City. • Youth, cultural and academic exchanges • Managed migration and mobility cooperation(Migration and Mobility Partnership (MMP) |
| 6. Regional & Multilateral Cooperation | • UNSC reform and India’s permanent membership • Commonwealth cooperation • Peace efforts in Ukraine, Middle East, Indo-Pacific stability |
MAJOR OUTCOMES
-
- Operationalisation of CETA and Vision 2035
- Deepening of tech-security convergence between India and UK
- Strengthened defence-industrial partnership
- India positioned as a global education hub
- Enhanced UK role in Indo-Pacific maritime security
- Strong political signal on zero tolerance for terrorism
CHALLENGES
1. CETA Implementation Risks – Domestic industry concerns, regulatory alignment
2. Technology Trust Deficit – Data governance, AI ethics, cyber security standards
3. Migration Sensitivities – Balancing skilled mobility with domestic political pressures
4. Defence Dependence Risks – Need to avoid asymmetric technology reliance
5. Geopolitical Uncertainty – Ukraine, Middle East instability, Indo-Pacific tensions
WAY FORWARD
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- Fast-track CETA ratification with sectoral safeguards
- Institutionalise TSI governance with clear data and IP norms
- Expand co-development and co-production in defence
- Scale up climate finance and green tech investment
- Ensure predictable, transparent mobility pathways
- Coordinate positions in UN, FATF, G20, Commonwealth
CONCLUSION
The India–UK Joint Statement (October 2025) marks a shift from historical ties to future-oriented strategic convergence. Effective implementation, institutional trust and strategic autonomy will determine whether this partnership evolves into a defining pillar of 21st-century geopolitics.
There is upward trajectory of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed common commitment to global peace, stability, and a rules-based international order.
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