Mumbai: India and the United Kingdom on Thursday announced an expansive partnership covering critical minerals, defence co-production, and education, marking a new phase in bilateral cooperation. The announcement followed a high-level meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Mumbai — their first interaction since the signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in July.
Prime Minister Starmer unveiled a plan to promote Bollywood film production in the UK, reinforcing cultural ties between the two nations.
In a joint press statement, Prime Minister Modi said the partnership between India and the UK holds “immense potential” in technology and innovation. “We are combining the UK’s industrial expertise and research with India’s talent and scale,” Modi stated.
Highlighting collaboration in critical minerals, which are essential for electronics and defence production, Modi announced the creation of an Industry Guild and a supply chain observatory for joint research and trade coordination. A satellite campus of the observatory will be established at ISM Dhanbad.
Starmer reaffirmed the commitment to technological and defence cooperation under the existing India-UK Technology Security Initiative, saying both nations “stand side by side as global leaders in innovation.” The leaders also launched the India-UK Offshore Wind Task Force and the Climate Technology Startup Fund to promote climate tech and AI innovation across both countries.
Education emerged as a major focus, with nine UK universities set to establish campuses in India. Modi said, “The Gurugram campus of the University of Southampton has already begun operations, and three more campuses are under construction.” Starmer’s delegation included several top representatives from the UK’s education sector — the largest such group to visit India to date.
In defence, both nations agreed to co-develop military equipment and signed a new military training cooperation agreement. Under the arrangement, Indian Air Force instructors will serve as trainers in the Royal Air Force. Modi said, “We are moving towards defence co-production by connecting industries of both countries.”
Discussing the Indo-Pacific region, Modi said India and the UK share a “common vision for maritime security and global stability.” Starmer echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace and balance in the region.
Modi also said the FTA signed in July will reduce import costs, create new jobs, and boost trade for both nations. Later in the day, both leaders were scheduled to address the India-UK CEO Forum.
Starmer concluded by reiterating the UK’s support for India’s bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and called for expanded naval exercises between the two countries. Notably, as the two leaders met, India and the UK’s carrier battle groups were conducting a week-long joint naval exercise in the Arabian Sea.
