India-UK Relations: Trade, Diaspora, and Security

TOPIC CLASSIFICATION

Subject: International Relations - Bilateral Relations
Sub-topic: India-UK Relations - Historical Ties (Colonial Legacy, Commonwealth), Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2021), Trade (Free Trade Agreement Negotiations, CEPA, UK-India Business Council), Defence & Security (Joint Exercises - Ajeya Warrior, Konkan Shakti, Indradhanush), Defence Industrial Cooperation (iDEX-UK, electric propulsion, jet engines), Diaspora (1.9 million Indian-origin - largest ethnic minority in UK), Migration (Migration & Mobility Partnership - Young Professionals Scheme), Education (India-UK Education Council), Global Issues (UNSC reform, Commonwealth, Climate, Indo-Pacific Tilt), Digital (UPI in UK - 2024)
Mains GS Paper-II: International Relations - India's bilateral relations with developed countries - UK as a Comprehensive Strategic Partner, migration, diaspora, trade.

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EXAMINER REASONING

India-UK relations were reset with the Roadmap 2030 (2021) and elevation to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Prelims tests: Roadmap 2030 (2021), FTA negotiations, Young Professionals Scheme (2023), Ajeya Warrior (Army), Konkan Shakti (Navy), Indradhanush (Air Force), UK-India year of Culture (2025), diaspora size (1.9M), Operation Ganga (UK support for Indian evacuation from Ukraine). Mains demands: (a) trade and economic partnership - bilateral trade ~£38B (2024-25) - FTA negotiations (13 rounds - paused 2024 over market access issues - rules of origin - tariff on auto/whisky - services/education -...