India-UK Agreements in Aero India 2025 | 12 Feb 2025

For Prelims: MANPADs, Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM), Offshore Wind Energy, Power Sector Reforms, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Konkan Shakti, Exercise Cobra Warrior, Ajeya Warrior, World Bank, Green Grids Initiative, Infrastructure for Resilient Island States, COP26. 

For Mains: India and the United Kingdom (UK) relations regarding defence and green energy.

Source: BS 

Why in News? 

India and the United Kingdom (UK) signed multiple defence agreements at Aero India 2025 to strengthen defence ties. 

  • In another development, the 4th India-UK Energy Dialogue took place focusing on sustainable, resilient, and inclusive energy future. 

What are the Recent Developments in India-UK Ties? 

  • Defence: 
    • Defence Partnership–India (DP-I):  DP-I was launched that aims to strengthen and streamline bilateral defense collaboration. 
    • Defence Manufacturing: Both entered into a contract to supply Laser Beam Riding MANPADs (LBRM), beginning with an initial delivery of High Velocity Missiles (STARStreak) and launchers. 
      • Both will produce Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs), incorporating Indian industries into the UK's global supply chain. 
      • Both will establish India's first Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) assembly and test facility in Hyderabad to equip fighter jets and support global exports. 
    • Electric Propulsion System: Both agreed to develop an Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) system for India's next-gen Landing Platform Dock (LPD) fleet, aiming for LPD delivery by 2030. 
  • Energy:  
    • ASPIRE Phase-2: The 2nd phase of India-UK Accelerating Smart Power & Renewable Energy in India (ASPIRE) programme was launched.  
      • ASPIRE program, a UK-India initiative, supports 24/7 power supply, and boosts industrial energy efficiency and decarbonization. 
    • Wind Taskforce: Both launched a UK-India Offshore Wind Taskforce to strengthen offshore wind to enhance ecosystems, supply chains, and financing. 
      • Both announced the continuation of the Power Sector Reforms programme under UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UKPACT).  
        • UK PACT supports emerging economies like India in their transition to low-carbon, sustainable growth. 

How Can the UK Strengthen India's Defence? 

  • New Defence Technologies: Under the India-UK 2030 Roadmap, the UK offers critical tech, including jet engine development and electric propulsion. 
  • Self-Reliance: Supports ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ by co-developing next-gen defence capabilities. 
  • Strategic Military Presence: Establishing a Littoral Response Group in the Indian Ocean for joint training, with bases in Oman, Nepal, Brunei, Diego Garcia, and Singapore. 

How Can the UK Support India's Green Transition? 

  • Investment: USD 1 billion in green projects via British Investment International and a USD 1 billion World Bank guarantee. 
  • Offshore Wind: UK’s expertise to aid India’s 30 GW offshore wind goal by 2030. 
  • Renewable Energy: 67 million Euros  invested in Indian solar, water, and climate projects, adding 413 MW renewables and reducing 1.14 million tonnes of emissions. 
  • Clean Energy Initiatives: UK’s Clean Growth Programme supports business expansion in India's 1.8 trillion Pounds clean energy sector. 
  • Global Collaboration: India-UK launched the Green Grids Initiative at COP26, with India joining Glasgow Breakthroughs and the Zero EV Declaration. 

What are Key Points Regarding India-UK Ties? 

  • Trade Relations: India was the UK’s 11th largest trading partner in 2024 and bilateral trade stands at 42 billion Pounds.  
    • India-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) was established in 2005 to enhance bilateral economic cooperation 
  • Investment: India was the UK’s 2nd-largest FDI source in 2022-23.  
    • The UK is India’s 6th largest investor, with USD 33.88 billion in FDI (April 2000 - March 2023), contributing 5.34% of total inflows. 
  • Defence Cooperation:  Konkan Shakti was the first India-UK tri-service exercise, strengthening defence ties. India joined Exercise Cobra Warrior (air exercise), while Ajeya Warrior fosters Army collaboration. 
  • Education: The Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications was signed in July 2022, facilitates academic cooperation. 
    • Indian student enrollments in UK universities reached 185,000 in 2022-23. 
  • People-to-People Ties: Migration and Mobility Partnership (MMP) was signed in May 2021, facilitating the movement of professionals between India and the UK. 

Conclusion 

India and the UK are deepening their strategic partnership in defence and clean energy through technology transfers, investments, and collaborative initiatives. Their joint efforts in offshore wind, electric mobility, and defence manufacturing align with India's self-reliance goals, ensuring mutual economic benefits while advancing global sustainability and security objectives. 

Drishti Mains Question: 

Analyse the importance of international cooperation for achieving self reliance in defence technology.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question 

Prelims 

Q. We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model?

  1. As regards legislation, the British Parliament is supreme or sovereign but in India, the power of the Parliament to legislate is limited.
  2. In India, matters related to the constitutionality of Amendment of an Act of the Parliament are 
  3. referred to the Constitution Bench by the Supreme Court. 

Select the correct answer using the code given below. 

(a) 1 only  

(b) 2 only 

(c) Both 1 and 2  

(d) Neither 1 nor 2 

Ans: (c)

Mains

Q. The new tri-nation partnership AUKUS is aimed at countering China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. Is it going to supersede the existing partnerships in the region? Discuss the strength and impact of AUKUS in the present scenario. (2021) 

Q. Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (2021) 

Q. The judicial system in India and the UK seem to be converging as well as diverging in recent times. Highlight the key points of convergence and divergence between the two nations in terms of their judicial practices. (2020)