The year 2020 is expected to be an inflection point in the relationship between the UK and India.
Historically, a steady relationship but as we look at the fast-evolving nature of India and UK, there are many opportunities where the two countries can work together for an enhanced partnership. India and the UK share common interest in each other’s prosperity, generating jobs, R&D, and enhancing their economic competitiveness. These provide a sound foundation for a partnership which will not only benefit the two countries but will demonstrate to the world that with meaningful collaboration we can address the common challenges of our times such as reform of global institutions, the fight against terrorism, climate change, energy security, health, and education.
In the race against the pandemic, the entire globe has witnessed the importance of cooperation and the requirement for active actions which are scalable, robust, and agile. From charter flights for stranded Britons to be repatriated to a crucial consignment of paracetamol, the pandemic has proved that the UK-India relationship remains strong. India has also joined the UK’s global vaccine mission. India’s capacity to produce vaccines at low cost and research expertise will play a very important role. The Serum Institute of India has started trials of the Covid-19 vaccine candidate developed by Oxford University and British pharma major AstraZeneca. Similarly, Indian pharma giant Wockhardt has teamed up with the UK government to fill-finish Covid-19 vaccines.
The disruption caused by the corona virus and significant geo-political shifts require heightened cooperation between the two countries. Last month, at the 14th India-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) the two countries agreed an Enhanced Trade Partnership – a step in the right direction, on the way to a Free Trade Agreement.
Indian companies have become large employers in several countries, most notably, the UK where several high-profile acquisitions have taken place. As the parent Indian company works with the labour force in the UK, organizational, technical, managerial, and cross-cultural skills are acquired. This has the potential to emerge yet another dimension to the multifaceted partnership.
Research & Development (R&D) and technology transfers could be vital drivers of the enhanced collaboration. There are serious opportunities for closer collaboration in areas such as advanced engineering, biotechnology, renewable energy, nano technology, design, quality assurance, and defense technologies. There are significant efforts in this regard, however there is a need to be more ambitious. India is seeking active partnership in R&D, joint development, and transfer of technology in a very broad spectrum of spheres.
The education sector is another key area where there is enormous potential to develop bilateral collaboration in multisectoral research and knowledge-sharing between industry and academia and to develop new capabilities within universities. The recently announced Education Policy by the Government of India should make it easier.
There is a huge potential for enhanced people-to-people contacts. About a million people travel between the two countries every year. Almost two million persons of Indian origin have made UK their home. The Indian origin community play an important role in developing this partnership. Cultural collaboration between the two countries is happily on the increase. We must ensure that we build on this. Young people in both countries say they appreciate the culture of the other. And there are many areas where the UK can benefit from such strong relations as India continues to rise as a world power. It is therefore vital that the UK understands contemporary India, its priorities and how the two countries are best placed to work together.
Strong bilateral relationships depend on a foundation of mutual knowledge, understanding, and trust. Cultural awareness supports economic and diplomatic ties. Trade and economic connections will certainly be vital elements for enhanced relationship between India and the UK, but just as important, even more so, in the long run is the cultural relationship and people to people understanding. Cultural approaches can be a model for other forms of collaboration that is political, economic, and social. We now need to use all our cultural resources to create the basis of knowledge and understanding for the sake of our security, prosperity, and peace. The UK and India now have the golden opportunity to make a step change and put their relationship on a new strategic footing.
