Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Boris Johnson, during a Virtual Summit on May 4, 2021, have adopted ‘Roadmap 2030’ to elevate bilateral ties to a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’.
- The new Roadmap will pave the way for a deeper and stronger engagement over the next ten years in the areas of people to people contacts, trade and economy, defence and security, climate action and health.
Enhanced Trade Partnership
- The two Prime Ministers launched an ‘Enhanced Trade Partnership’ (ETP) to unleash the trade potential by setting an ambitious target of more than doubling bilateral trade by 2030.
- As part of the ETP, India and the UK agreed on a roadmap to negotiate a comprehensive and balanced FTA, including consideration of an Interim Trade Agreement for delivering early gains. The enhanced trade partnership will generate several thousands of direct and indirect jobs in both the countries.
India-UK Global Innovation Partnership
- A new India-UK ‘Global Innovation Partnership’ was announced at the Virtual Summit that aims to support the transfer of inclusive Indian innovations to select developing countries, starting with Africa.
- Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation on new and emerging technologies, including Digital and ICT products, and work on supply chain resilience. They also agreed to strengthen defence and security ties, including in the maritime, counter-terrorism and cyberspace domains.
Comprehensive partnership on migration and mobility
- India and the UK also launched a comprehensive partnership on migration and mobility that will facilitate greater opportunities for the mobility of students and professionals between the two countries.
