On India-UK Defence Ties – In a tough world, the beacon of U.K.-India strategic ties

Source: This post on India-UK Defence Ties has been created based on the article “In a tough world, the beacon of U.K.-India strategic ties” published in “The Hindu” on 23^rd February 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 converging interests of India and UK in the maritime domain. It also highlights how and why India-UK defence ties are becoming stronger.

A detailed article on India-UK Relations can be read here.

What are the converging interests of India and UK in the maritime domain according to the author?

1. Both are outward facing, mercantile and modern societies.
2. Although separated by thousands of miles, both are inherently connected by the ocean.
3. Trade in food and goods is the reason for mutual prosperity, supporting the lives and livelihoods of many.

Considering this, both nations need to secure and free the seas from aggression and exploitation. It is important because of goods and resources that flow across the seas on which our economies rely. Even the data supporting online banking and capital flows also move via underwater cables.

Why are India-UK defence ties becoming stronger?

1) Converging Interests: The U.K. and India have a common interest in ensuring that violence and disregard for international law are not allowed to become normalised. For example: Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and the Ukraine conflict.

2) Rise in Importance of Indo-Pacific: The centre of gravity of the global economy by 2050 will be in the Indo-Asia-Pacific.

How are India-UK defence ties becoming stronger?

1. Increasing Interaction between British and Indian forces: There have been record numbers of U.K. ship visits to India. UK’s Carrier Strike Group will be deployed again to the region in 2025 and will lead to increasing operational capabilities.
2. Defence industrial partnership: From electric warship propulsion to complex weaponry to jet engines, cooperation in sharing knowledge and expertise is increasing.
3. Military education ties: Officers from all three services of the Indian Armed Forces will be joining British service academies as instructors, sharing their experiences with future military leaders.

Question for practice:

The contemporary global geopolitical developments necessitate the strengthening of India-UK defence ties. Discuss.