• UGI USER
  • Aug 28, 2023
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Q. While the 2030 Roadmap for India-UK future relations seeks to revitalize the relationship between the two countries, there are major challenges that need to be ironed out. Analyze.

Approach:

  • Give a brief introduction of the India-UK 2030 vision.
  • Highlight its major features.
  • Discuss the challenges, which need to be addressed.
  • Conclude accordingly.

Answer:

The ‘2030 roadmap for India-UK future relations’ is a joint framework for future relations adopted by both governments as part of a “common vision of a new and transformational comprehensive strategic partnership”.

The UK India – Roadmap 2030 is set out over the following five areas, which will revitalize the relationship between two countries

  • Connecting the two countries and its people: By upgrading institutional mechanisms to strengthen avenues for people-to-people connections in education, research and innovation, employment and culture.
  • Trade and prosperity: By creating shared prosperity and delivering leadership in global economic governance and unlocking the potential for the dynamic private sectors of India and UK.
  • Defense and security: By working together in a strategic partnership to tackle cyber, space, crime and terrorist threats and develop a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific region.
  • Climate: By being committed to building a more environmentally sustainable future and achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and mobilizing investment and climate finance.
  • Health: By using their combined research and innovation strength to address the biggest global health challenges, save lives and improve health and well-being.

Major challenges in India- UK relations

  • Political turmoil in the U.K: In the space of four months, the country saw three Prime Ministers creating one of the most dramatic and tumultuous years in modern British politics.
  • Trade irritants: There has been a mini ‘tariff war’ underway between India and the UK. India proposed a retaliatory additional duty of 15 percent on 22 imported items from the UK, as a response to restrictions imposed by the UK on 15 Indian steel products.
  • Not able to finalize the Free Trade Agreement: Issues like mobility of skilled labor and entrepreneurs challenge the British immigration policy and domestic public opinion whereas reduced tariff on Scotch whiskey continues to haunt the negotiators on both sides.
  • The complexities of diaspora politics: Non-aligned interests of British Indians, unlike British Pakistanis who regularly hold lawmakers to account on Pakistani causes. Thus, the immediate prize of British Pakistani votes outweighs the more distant benefits of a stronger partnership with India.
  • Not committed to India’s candidature for UNSC: No British UN ambassador has made a statement in support of India on the floor of the UN.
  • Extradition of fugitive offenders: The UK has been a go-to place for Indian fugitives and they enjoy their lavish lives evading justice. The reason behind such a brazen lifestyle is the UK investment visa (tier 1), which is commonly known as “Golden Visa” and the international law principle of “Dual Criminality”.
  • Differing views on terrorism and Kashmir: An unsubstantiated report on Kashmir was published by a London-based unit. India has rightly questioned the veracity of the report, calling it overtly prejudiced and a way to build a false narrative, and an attempt to violate the sovereignty of India.

As India seeks to carve out a new role for itself in the evolving global order as a ‘leading power’ and the U.K. recalibrates its strategic outlook post-Brexit, this is a unique moment in India-U.K. ties. In an increasingly unstable world threatened by autocratic states with contempt for the rules-based international system, it is more important than ever before that the UK and India support each other—and our mutual allies.