The British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer arrived in India on Wednesday with a big delegation of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and university vice-chancellors to celebrate the success and build further on the landmark trade agreement concluded between both countries in July this year. On this two-day trade mission, the British PM promoted trade opportunities between the two nations and met his Indian counterpart, Narendera Modi.
The Trump Factor
This burgeoning relationship between the UK and India comes in the backdrop of President Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs imposed as retaliatory measures on countries with a trade surplus with the United States.
Tariffs against India, however, were further doubled down as a penalty for buying oil from Moscow. This bullying, along with rising global economic uncertainty, has led the states around the world to seek new relationships and forge new commitments.
The UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, therefore, would reduce the dependence of both states on Washington and open new doors for trade and investment. Under the agreement, India will reduce tariffs on British products like whisky, cosmetics, and medical equipment, while the UK will lower duties on Indian items such as clothing, footwear, and food items, including frozen prawns.
The Third Largest Economy
Another development that has made Britain interested in forming close economic ties with her former colony is the forecast that India is set to become the third largest economy in the world by 2028. In the last two decades, the world has witnessed the Indian economic miracle that has transformed the nation from a backward agrarian economy into a hub of finance, high-tech, and service economy.
This has translated into a renewed global relevance and importance of India on the world stage, which has manifested in the involvement of India in every major economic, political, and military alliance from BRICS to QUAD.
Thus, the British PM has paid the visit to ensure that Britain gains from this new opportunity and immense potential for growth in India. This will further enhance economic cooperation and cultural exchange between the two countries.
Interest Before Ethics?
Keir Starmer’s visit to India has also confirmed another development in global affairs, the return of realpolitik and the end of liberal hegemony.
Unlike the United States, which has made India pay a penalty for doing business with Russia, Britain, also a major Ukraine ally, has decided to prioritize their national interest over moral sanction. The move has highlighted both the importance of India as a major market and business partner and the desperation of Britain.
However, it has also revealed that the US empire has lost its control not only in the periphery but also in the near abroad, where the closest US ally is now going against the grain of US foreign policy.
No Relaxation of Visas
Despite the successful conclusion of the deal, the British PM has ruled out the expansion of visa access for Indian professionals owing to increasing pressure from the far-right at home.
However, Keir Starmer has said that the question of relaxation of visas was an issue while negotiating the deal but has no implications on the concluded deal. He further added that he would like to have “top talent” in the UK regardless of nationality.
All in all, the British PM’s visit signifies the ascendancy of India on the global stage and the transition of the global order from unipolarity to multipolarity. Though both countries have found a semblance of economic security via the deal for now, the future global economy and relations between states remain uncertain.
Muhammad Omer Rafiq
Muhammad Omer Rafiq is a student of politics with a passion for making sense of our tumultuous political world that always seems to be on the edge. He recently graduated in International Relations from Lahore Garrison University. He can be reached at muhammadomerrafiq@gmail.com
