India–UK Joint Statement 2025 Highlights Strategic Cooperation

Marking a key milestone in bilateral relations, India and the United Kingdom issued a comprehensive Joint Statement on 9 October 2025, following the official visit of UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to India. This was Prime Minister Starmer’s first visit to India and reciprocated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s July 2025 visit to the UK, where the historic India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Vision 2035 roadmap were signed.

Trade and Economic Growth

The two Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction at the momentum in economic cooperation and looked forward to the early ratification of CETA, which promises to boost trade and investment.

They restarted the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) to monitor CETA’s implementation and ensure dynamic economic governance.

The CEO Forum, held on the sidelines of the Summit, reflected strong business interest, with over 125 UK CEOs, entrepreneurs, and university heads in attendance. Areas of joint economic focus include,

• Clean energy
• Advanced manufacturing
• Defence and aerospace
• Science and innovation
• Food and consumer goods

The UK–India Infrastructure Financing Bridge (UKIIFB) was cited as a model for sustainable infrastructure collaboration.

Innovation and Technology Collaboration

Building on the Technology Security Initiative (TSI), the leaders announced several joint tech ventures,

• India–UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre with £24 million in funding for 6G, Non-Terrestrial Networks, and telecom cybersecurity
• India–UK Joint Centre for AI to promote ethical and scalable AI in health, climate, and fintech
• A new Critical Minerals Collaboration Guild, and Phase 2 of the Critical Minerals Observatory with a satellite campus at IIT-ISM Dhanbad

Biotech partnerships were also announced, linking UK institutions like the Henry Royce Institute and Oxford Nanopore with Indian counterparts for advances in biomanufacturing, genomics, and 3D bioprinting.

Defence and Security Cooperation

The leaders committed to expanding bilateral defence exchanges, joint exercises, and capacity building. Key outcomes included,

• Enhanced naval cooperation, including the Royal Navy’s exercise KONKAN and plans to establish a Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative
• Integration of Indian Air Force instructors in RAF training programmes
• Agreement on joint development of maritime electric propulsion systems
• Supply of Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) under a government-to-government deal, aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat objectives

The leaders also condemned terrorism, referencing the April 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, and agreed on enhanced cooperation in counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, and financial tracking.

Climate and Clean Energy

Reaffirming net-zero goals, both nations launched,

• The India–UK Climate Finance Initiative
• A joint Climate Tech Start-up Fund
• A new Offshore Wind Taskforce
• Intent to collaborate through the Global Clean Power Alliance (GCPA)

These initiatives aim to unlock green investments and support innovation in AI-driven climate solutions.

Education and Cultural Exchange

Education emerged as a major pillar, with both sides welcoming,

• The opening of UK university campuses in India, including University of Southampton in Gurugram and upcoming branches from University of Liverpool, York, Aberdeen, Bristol, and others
• New campuses in GIFT City and approvals for Lancaster University in Bengaluru and University of Surrey
• The first Ministerial Strategic Education Dialogue will further institutionalize this cooperation.

On migration, the two sides reiterated their commitment to the Migration and Mobility Partnership (MMP) while appreciating the contributions of the Indian diaspora as a “living bridge” between both nations.

Regional and Global Cooperation

The leaders reiterated their support for a rules-based international order and,

• UK reaffirmed support for India’s permanent seat in a reformed UN Security Council
• Called for peace in Ukraine, and welcomed global diplomatic efforts
• Supported the US peace plan for Gaza, urging a ceasefire, release of hostages, and humanitarian aid access
• Reaffirmed commitment to Commonwealth reform, climate action, and youth engagement