Defense Ties-up Between India and UK

Source: This post on India-U.K. Defense Ties has been created based on the article “Defense Ties-up Between India and UK” published in “The Hindu” on 19^th January 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 – International Relations – Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

News: The article discusses the need for better defense ties between India and the UK. It highlights the sectors of cooperation as well as emerging challenges in this regard.

Background:

Recently, India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh visited the United Kingdom (U.K.) after a gap of 22 years.

Why Are Better Defense Ties Needed Between India and UK?

1) Chinese Presence in Indian Ocean: China has emerged as a major naval power whose deployments in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) are expanding rapidly thereby threatening India and Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs).

2) India’s Naval Modernization Plans: Indian Navy has several technological gaps when compared to the Chinese Navy. Securing key technologies from the UK will be important in this regard.

Current Developments in the bilateral Defense Between India and Uk

1. Cooperation in Electrical Propulsion Technology: Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers are not powered by electric propulsion technology while the British Navy has mastered this technology. Since the Chinese are already advancing in this field, the British have agreed to train and help establish the necessary infrastructure.
   Note: Warships integrated with electric propulsion produce a low acoustic signature (low generation of sound, making it harder to detect).
2. Military Exercises: Several joint military exercises have taken place between the two countries which signal deeper defence cooperation. The British also plan to train and increase interoperability with the Indian Navy.

Challenges Between India and Uk Ties-up?

1) UK-Pakistan Ties: U.K. governments have simultaneously supplied India and Pakistan with weapons or curbed weapons exports. This raises questions on British motives and objectives in the Subcontinent.

2) Khalistan Issue: Issues surrounding Khalistan and Sikh separatism (allegations of UK harbouring them) remain as a challenge.

Question for practice:

Why are better defence ties needed between like-minded countries like India and the UK? Discuss in the context of increased Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean.