High Commission of India

London, United Kingdom

High Commission of India

London

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India-UK historical ties, over the years have transformed into a robust, multi-faceted, mutually beneficial relationship. During the India-UK Summit in virtual mode on 4 May 2021, Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and The Rt Hon Boris Johnson, the then Prime Minister of UK, agreed to a new and transformational India-UK 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' and an ambitious India-UK Roadmap 2030 to steer cooperation for the next ten years.

1. VVIP engagements

• Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi at the G20 Summit hosted by India on 08-10 September 2023. They reviewed the progress on various aspects of India-UK relations. PM Modi reiterated his invitation to PM Sunak for a separate visit at the earliest convenience.

• Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, at the G7 Summit in Japan on 22 May 2023. They discussed progress on a UK-India Free Trade Agreement. The leaders agreed that their teams would continue to work at pace to finalise an ambitious and mutually beneficial deal. The leaders discussed the wider objectives of the G7 Summit and the Prime Minister committed his strong support for India’s G20 Presidency, which comes at a crucial time for global security and prosperity.

• Hon’ble Vice President of India visited London on 05-06th May 2023 to attend the Coronation Ceremony of H.M. King Charles III. He interacted with King Charles III, President of Israel, First Lady of the USA, President of Italy, President of Brazil, during reception at Buckingham Palace. Hon'ble Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar also addressed the members of the Indian community in United Kingdom. He also interacted with Indian origin MPs of the UK, and Indian students. 

• Prime Minister Modi met UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Bali on the side-lines of G20 Summit on 16 November 2022 and carried out discussions to boost trade between the two countries. This was the first in-person meeting between the two, since Mr. Sunak took over as the UK Prime Minister. The Young Professionals Scheme was announced after the meeting.

• On 17-19 September 2022, President Smt. Droupadi Murmu visited London to attend the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. President paid her respects to the Queen lying in state at Westminster Hall and signed the condolence book at Lancaster House on 18 September 2022. President met King Charles III at a reception held at the Buckingham Palace on the same day. 

• On 21-22 April 2022, the then UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson paid an official visit to India. Important components were a visit to Sabarmati Ashram, followed by visits to JCB plant at Halol, Gift City and Gujarat Bio-Technology University. In Delhi, he held discussions with PM Modi, where both the leaders reviewed the progress made on Roadmap 2030. UK’s decision to offer ‘Open General Export Licence’ to Indian companies was announced. It was agreed to target an early conclusion of FTA. MoUs on Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership and Global Innovation Partnership were concluded. A joint statement on India-UK Cyber Cooperation was also issued. 

• Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited UK from 31 October to 2 November 2021 to attend COP26 World Leaders Summit in Glasgow. He had a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mr. Boris Johnson, on 1 November 2021 on the side-lines of COP26 Summit. The two Prime Ministers reviewed the implementation of the Roadmap 2030. On 2 November 2021, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Johnson jointly launched the ambitious 'One Sun, One World, One Grid' (OSOWOG) programme and the Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS). The OSOWOG is a part of the International Solar Alliance (ISA); and the IRIS is a part of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).

2. High level engagements

Visits from India to the UK

• Dr. D Y Chandrachud, Chief Justice of India visited the UK from 27 September to 3 October 2023 to participate in the opening of the Legal Year.

• A delegation led by Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Law and Justice (Independent Charge), Government of India visited UK on 05th June 2023. Hon’ble Minister attended the 2nd ‘Arbitrating Indo - UK Commercial Disputes conference’ held in London and spoke about reforms & initiatives by GoI in the legal sector and arbitration mechanisms. Hon’ble Minister had a meeting with Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, UK and discussed India UK cooperation in the field of law and justice.

• APPG-India delegation co-led by Baroness Sandip Verma & Lord Karan Bilimoria visited India from 09-15 April 2023. The delegation visited India to discuss trade, research ties in India.  The delegation visited Mumbai, Pune, Delhi and Ahmedabad. They met with Foreign Secretary, Commerce Secretary, Chief Minister of Gujarat, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Minister of Railways & IT and Hon’ble Vice President of India.

• Hon'ble Minister of Law and Justice, Mr. Kiren Rijiju, visited London from 3-6 July 2022 and participated in the conference “Arbitrating Indo-UK Commercial Disputes” on 5th July 2022 at Mansion House, London, UK.

• EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar visited UK from 3-6 May 2021 to attend the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers' Meeting. EAM had a bilateral meeting with the then UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on 6 May (2021). During the visit, EAM also met the UK Home Secretary, Ms. Priti Patel. MoUs on: (i) India-UK Migration and Mobility Partnership (MMP) Agreement, and (ii) India-UK Global Innovation Partnership (GIP), were signed during EAM's visit.

Visits from UK to India

• Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk, Secretary of State for Justice visited India to participate in International Lawyers’ Conference 2023 in New Delhi. He called on Prime Minister and held meeting with his counterpart.

• The Rt Hon Thérèse Coffey MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs visited India from 16-17th June 2023. She attended the G20 Agriculture Ministers Meeting in Hyderabad and had bilateral meetings with Hon'ble Minister for A&FW, Govt of India

• The Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, Minister of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) visited India from 11-12th June 2023 to attend the G20 Development Ministerial Meeting in Varanasi and to boost UK-India cooperation on development including through climate and tech partnerships. He also had meetings with EAM. 

• Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, UN, Govt of the UK visited India from 27 to 31 May 2023. The Minister’s visit to India covered Jodhpur, New Delhi and Hyderabad to boost UK-India tech and innovation partnership which includes health tech startups, youth skills development and emerging women leaders. He also met with EAM and discussed the importance of strengthening of two countries long-standing bilateral relationship and progressing the FTA. 

• The Rt Hon James Cleverly MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs visited India from 01-03 March 2023. He attended G20 Foreign Ministers meeting hosted by India and launched the new UK-India Young Professional Scheme and announced the creation of UK's first Tech Envoy to the Indo-Pacific region. He had bilateral meetings with EAM to discuss progress on the UK-India 2030 Roadmap, which aims to bolster the 2 countries’ ties in defence and security, trade and investment.

• EAM had a bilateral meeting with UK Foreign Secretary Rt. Hon’ble Mr. James Cleverly on 29 October 2022, during the UNSC CTC Conference held in Delhi and Mumbai from 28-29 October. Discussions included progress on Roadmap 2030, Ukraine conflict and the Indo-Pacific. 

• On 31 March 2022, the then UK Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss visited India and had meetings with EAM, Minister of Finance and National Security Adviser.

• Ms. Elizabeth Truss, the then UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, visited India from 22-24 October 2021 and met with EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar. During the visit, Ms. Truss also met with the Minister of Finance, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Shri Bhupendra Yadav.

• COP26 President Alok Sharma visited India from 16-18 August 2021. During the visit, he met with Shri Bhupender Yadav, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Shri. R.K. Singh, Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy (NRE).

Others engagements

• EAM met British Foreign Secretary, Mr. James Cleverly on 13th July 2023 in Jakarta, Indonesia on the sidelines of the 13th EAS Foreign Ministers Meeting and discussed about the agenda of the ARF (ASEAN Regional Forum), including regional and global issues, assessed the progress in Inda-UK bilateral exchanges and brought up concerns pertaining to the security of our diplomats.

3. Economic, Trade and Financial cooperation

High level engagements

• Chancellor of Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt travelled to India for the 12th Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) on 11 September 2023 with his counterpart, India’s Finance Minister.

• UK's Secretary of State for International Trade, Ms. Kemi Badenoch visited India on 24 August 2023 for G20 Trade Ministers’ meeting and participate in the ongoing FTA negotiations 

• CIM Shri Piyush Goyal visited UK from 10-13 July 2023 to review progress of the FTA in more detail. During the visit, the Hon’ble Minister had meetings with Ms. Kemi Badenoch, UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade and Mr. Douglas McNeill, Chief Economic Adviser to Prime Minister of UK. 

• Chancellor of Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt visited India from 23-25th February 2023 alongside Andrew Bailey, the Governor of the Bank of England, and attended a meeting of G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors. The Chancellor also attended the first G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting under the Indian Presidency and had meetings with Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Both sides agreed on setting up the next UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue.

• A delegation led by Shri Suman Kumar Beri, Hon’ble Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog visited 06-10th February 2023 to address the opening session of the Investors Showcase Event on 09th February 2023 and also to attend lectures and briefings on India's economic growth at academic institutions in London, UK. 

• UK's Secretary of State for International Trade, Ms. Kemi Badenoch visited India from 12-13 December 2022, and had meetings with the CIM.

• Shri Piyush Goyal, Commerce and Industry Minister led a delegation to visit London from 26-27 May 2022 to review the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks. 

• Secretary of State for International Trade Rt. Hon. Anne-Marie Trevelyan travelled to India from 12-15 January 2022 for the 15th JETCO meeting. India and UK formally launched the negotiations of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). 

Trade

• India-UK bilateral trade (both goods and services) stood at £36.3 billion during the year FY 2022/23, an increase of 34.2% or £9.2 billion from 2021/22. Out of the above, India’s total imports from UK amounted to £14.7 billion and India’s total exports to the UK amounted to £21.6 billion. India was the UK’s 12th largest trading partner in this period accounting for 2.1% of UK’s total trade. Total bilateral trade in goods (merchandise) was £18.6 billion, of which India’s export to the UK was £10.5 billion while India’s import from UK was £8.1 billion and total trade in service were £17.7 billion, comprising of India’s export of £11.0 billion and India’s import of services from the UK of £6.7 billion.  (Source: Department for Business and Trade, United Kingdom)

Investments

• India invested in 118 projects and created 8,384 new jobs in the UK to retain the position of second-largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) after the US, according to the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) inward investment statistics for 2022-2023.The number of projects increased and jobs decreased in comparison to the 2021-22 figures of 107 projects and 8,664 jobs. As per the CII- Grant Thornton India meets UK Report 2023, there are 954 Indian companies operating in the UK, with combined revenues of almost £50.5 billion. Together, they paid over £944 million in corporate tax and employed 105,931 people. 

• UK is the 6th largest inward investor in India, with a cumulative equity investment of US $ 33.88 billion (April 2000 - March 2023), accounting for around 5.34 % of all foreign direct investment into India.

Institutional Mechanisms

• India-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO): JETCO was established on January 13, 2005 to develop a strategic economic relationship following the Joint Declaration “India-UK towards a new and dynamic partnership” between the then Prime Ministers of the two countries in September 2004. Chaired by CIM and the UK counterpart, the 15th meeting was held in New Delhi on 13 January 2022 following which the first round of FTA negotiations was held on 17 January. 12th Round of India-UK FTA negotiations were held in the India from 8-31 August 2023.

• The Economic and Finance Dialogue (EFD): EFD was established on 4 February 2005 to strengthen the financial and economic relationship between India and the UK. The Dialogue is chaired by Finance Minister and the UK counterpart and discusses sustainable economic development, structural reforms, reform of financial systems and markets, improving regulatory frame-works and international development. The 12th round of EFD was held on 11 September 2023 in New Delhi. The focus of the dialogue was also towards enhancement of the knowledge exchange, cooperation and support between India and UK to further the infrastructure development priorities, robust FinTech partnership and Sustainable Finance towards long-term growth objectives. The two countries announced the India-UK Infrastructure Finance Bridge, a collaborative initiative to leverage expertise and investment in support of India’s National Infrastructure Pipeline. 

4. Defence and Security cooperation

High level engagements

• General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff visited the United Kingdom on 9 August 2023 to review the 201st Sovereign's Parade of Commissioning Course 223 at the prestigious Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst as the Sovereign’s Representative. He was the first Chief of the Army Staff from India to be the Sovereign's Representative for the parade.

• UK’s Minister of State for Security Tom Tugendhat visited India from 10-12 August 2023 to attend the G20 Anti-Corruption Ministerial meeting in Kolkata. In Delhi, he had meetings with EAM and NSA. 

• Sir Matthew Rycroft, Permanent Secretary at the Home Office visited India from 12-14 April 2023. He co-chaired 5th India-UK Home Affairs Dialogue (HAD) in New Delhi on 12 April 2023 with Union Home Secretary, Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla. 

• The United Kingdom’s Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Sir Tony Radakin visited India on 19 April 2023 and held meeting with his Indian counterpart, General Anil Chauhan, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Hari Kumar, Chief of the Army Staff, General Manoj Pande, Defence Secretary, Giridhar Aramane, and Additional Secretary Defence Production, T Natarajan.

• Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, KCB CBE ADC, Chief of the Air Staff, Royal Air Force (RAF) visited India from 17 to 19 Apr 23. During the visit, CAS RAF called on Service Chiefs in New Delhi.  The CAS RAF also visited Air Force Station Jodhpur and Agra where he was shown IAF’s Make in India platforms.  

• Mr Alex Chalk KC MP, Minister of State (Minister for Defence Production) represented Secretary of State for Defence, UK and AVM Rich Maddison, Air Officer Commanding, 22 Group of Royal Air Force represented the CAS, Royal Air Force in Aero India-23 which was held from 13-17 Feb 23 at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bangalore and attended meeting with Indian Govt dignitaries.  

• UK Youth and Cadets Delegation consisting of two Officers and ten Cadets took part in the Special Youth Exchange Programme organised by the Director General National Cadet Corps from 09 to 17 Aug 2022 and took part in the Independence Day celebrations.

• National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met with UK's National Security Advisor Tim Barrow in London on February 4 2023. 

Joint Exercises and visits

• Ex Ajeya Warrior: - This India-UK bilateral exercise is conducted biennially at company group level alternatively in India and UK. The 7th edition of Ex-Ajeya Warrior was conducted at Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) from 27 April to 11 May 2023 in which Indian Army Team participated along with the British Army. The Joint Exercise aims to share best practices & build positive military relations between both the two Armies.

• Exercise Konkan: - Konkan is an annual bilateral exercise conducted between IN and RN. Exercise Konkan 2023 edition was held from 20-22 March 2023 in the Arabian Sea off the Konkan Coast. The exercise enhanced mutual cooperation, improved interoperability between the two navies and developed greater synergy and confidence in the IN and RN operating together for maritime missions.

• Ex Cobra Warrior- 2023: - Indian Air Force (IAF) participated in a multi-national air exercise Cobra Warrior 23 at RAF Waddington, UK from 01-27 March 2023. Other participants in the exercise were USA, Saudi Arabia, Finland and Belgium. 

• Visit of UK Royal Navy Ship: - UK Royal Navy Ships, the HMS Lancaster and the HMS Tamar visited Kochi and Chennai in the month of Mar 23. In addition to Navy-to-Navy interaction, the port visit opportunity was utilized by the two countries.

• Visit of INSS Tarangini: - Indian Naval Sail Training Ship Tarangani visited the UK from 14-18 Aug 2022 and Gibraltar from 04 to 07 Sep 22 as part of the Lokayan 2022 deployment to commemorate the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

Institutional mechanisms

• Defence Consultative Group meeting (DCG): DCG is held at the level of Defence Secretary and the UK counterpart. The 22nd DCG meeting took place in UK on 3 October 2023. Both sides considered new areas for defence industrial cooperation and explored emerging domains such as cyber and Artificial Intelligence. They committed to working together for strengthening the bilateral defence relationship.

• Home Affairs Dialogue (HAD): HAD is held at the level of Home Secretary and the UK counterpart. 5th HAD was held in Delhi in April 2023. During the meeting both sides reviewed the ongoing cooperation and identified further steps that can be taken to explore opportunities and synergies in advancing cooperation in counter-terrorism, cyber security & global supply chains, drug trafficking, migration, extradition, anti-India activities in UK including Pro-Khalistan Extremism among other issues.

• Counter Terrorism Dialogue: The 15th India-UK CT Dialogue was held in London on 4-5 April 2022.

• Cyber Security Dialogue: India-UK Cyber Security Dialogue was held in London from 11-12 April 2022. 

5. Science &Technology, Research & Innovation

High level engagements

• Shri Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences visited UK from 25 April to 01 May 2023. He held meetings with his counterpart Ministers in the UK and as well as Indian diaspora, StartUps and academicians. He co-chaired the India-UK Science & Innovation Council with British Minister for Science, Innovation &Technology. and exchanged 

Institutional mechanisms

• Science and Innovation Council (SIC): Science and Innovation Council (SIC), is apex body to review overall bilateral scientific cooperation (except strategic sector) between two countries and it is held once in two years alternatively in India and the UK. SIC reviews bilateral scientific collaboration of DST, DBT, MOES, CSIR, DAE, ICMR, ICAR, Ministry of Education, ICSSR with counterpart UK agencies. The last meeting was held in London in April 2023 and MoU for wider cooperation between two countries, particularly in quantum Technology, clean energy was exchanged. India-UK Space Parks Partnership was also announced. 

6. Education and students

• Education cooperation is an important pillar of India-UK Bilateral relationship as envisaged under India-UK Roadmap 2030, which was released in May 2021 during Prime Ministerial level virtual Summit.

• Since 2015-16, number of first year enrolment of Indian students in the UK Universities have been increasing. Year wise enrolment of Indian students is 14,830 (2015-16), 16,550 (2016-17), 19750 (2017-18), 26,685 (2018-19), 41,815 (2019-20), 52,015 (2020-21), 126,535 (2021-22). Based on the number of new student visas, the number of Indian students in the UK probably increased to around 185,000 in 2022-23. The number of new student visas issued to Indian citizens increased from 80,635 in 2021 to 139,539 in 2022 (excluding dependants).

• Ten years of Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development, established with GoI assistance, was celebrated on 7th July.

• India and UK signed Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications Memorandum of Understanding on 21 July 2022, giving a fillip to cooperation in the education sector between the two countries. 

7. Health

• India-UK bilateral cooperation in mitigating the effects of COVID-19 Pandemic has been significant. The joint research and development of the COVID-19 vaccine, under a licensing agreement between UK-based AstraZeneca and Serum Institute of India, is an unprecedented example of India-UK cooperation in addressing global issues of concern and is bound to lay a solid foundation for our close bilateral partnership across varied sectors.

• Framework agreement between the United Kingdom and India for collaboration on healthcare workforce objectives was signed on 21 July 2022. This framework agrees to collaborate on healthcare workforce objectives by enhancing bilateral co-operation in capacity building, exchange of ideas and expertise across all areas of healthcare workforce.

8. People to people exchanges

• India and UK signed the Migration and Mobility Partnership (MMP) Agreement on 4 May 2021 with the intention to address swifter movement of working professionals between the two countries - an important element of India-UK economic partnership.

• On 16 November 2022, PM Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the Young Professional Scheme on the side-lines of G20 Bali Summit. Under the scheme, 3000 visas will be provided every year to graduates between the age of 18-30 to get 2-year visa to live and work in each other’s country. 

• The UK has a large Indian diaspora of 1.864 million as per 2021 Census and forms 3.1% of the total population of UK, which is 59.597 million. As per the census, there are 3,69,000 persons holding Indian passport. The energy and ambition of Indian diaspora is reflected in high rates of employment and professional qualifications. The Indian diaspora has made valuable contributions in the areas of academia, literature, arts, medicines, science, sports, industry, business, and politics. The House of Commons currently boasts 16 members of Indian origin, and there are 23 peers of Indian origin in the House of Lords. PM Rishi Sunak & Home Secretary Suella Braverman are of Indian heritage. Besides, there are about 250 Indian origin Councillors, nearly 2/3rd are from Labour party and about 1/3rd are from Conservative.

• Indian cuisine has changed UK’s eating habits. The UK has developed a taste for Indian street food, with restaurant chains becoming increasingly popular. There are several radio stations as well, Radio Lyca Dil Se, Radio Sabras, Sunrise Radio, Radio Raaj, Radio Kohinoor and Sanskar. The contribution of the Indian diaspora to public institutions such as the NHS is indispensable.

• As per the report ‘India in the UK: The diaspora effect’ prepared by Grant Thornton and FICCI, there are over 65,000 companies owned by Indian diaspora. The report researched 654 companies with turnover of more than £100,000 per year. Their combined revenue is £36.84 billion, they paid over £1 billion in corporate tax, invested over £2 billion through capital expenditure, and created over 174,000 jobs.

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