Building ties in a volatile world

IT IS PROMISING THAT THE BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP IS BEING COMPARTMENTALISED MORE EFFECTIVELY

- HARSH V PANT SHAIREE MALHOTRA

ON OCTOBER 8-9, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer concluded his first visit to India as a follow-up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK in July. The focus was on four key sectors aimed at strengthening the bilateral India-UK partnership-trade and investment, education, technology and innovation, and defence and security.

In the aftermath of the conclusion of the UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) that is expected to double bilateral trade from the current £42 billion, it was natural for trade and investment to be at the heart of Starmer's trip to India. He fittingly chose the city of Mumbai, India's business and financial capital, bringing with him a massive delegation of 125 CEOs, and academia and cultural leaders. The fact that this was the UK's largest official business delegation since former Prime Minister Theresa May's visit to China in 2018 was a clear indication that despite US President Donald Trump's insinuations of a dead Indian economy, Britain views India as a place to do business. The ratification of the CETA, which will reduce tariffs and enhance market access and trade opportunities, may take some time. Yet, according to the British government, despite awaiting implementation the deal has already resulted in investment worth £1 billion in the UK and the creation of 7,000 jobs.