India and Britain bulk up trade and defence ties amid ‘converging concerns’ on China

British PM Boris Johnson described India-UK ties as ‘one of the most defining relationships’ as he signed investment deals worth US$1.3 billion

The two major countries are divided on censuring Moscow for invading Ukraine and India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, though they agree an immediate ceasefire is necessary

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Prime minister of India Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House. Photo: dpa

Published: 9:42pm, 22 Apr 2022Updated: 12:13pm, 23 Apr 2022

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Friday signalled ties between the two nations were on an even keel, a sharp contrast to recent friction over New Delhi’s insistence on buying Russian oil imports.

Analysts said the overall convivial tone of talks between the prime ministers in New Delhi, and the announcement of a “new and expanded” defence and security partnership, suggested the two major powers were setting aside differences – on Russia in particular – amid bulked up trade ties and a convergence of concerns about China’s assertiveness.

Describing Modi as a “special friend” and India-UK ties as “one of the most defining relationships” in the current times, Johnson signed US$1.3 billion worth of investment deals with Indian businesses and tried to draw India closer by offering lucrative trade and defence arrangements.

With an eye on Russia and China, the two leaders discussed British alternatives to Russian imports into India, as well as a more active British presence in the Indo-Pacific region through its maritime deployments and sharing of military technology with New Delhi.

Johnson, in his remarks after the meeting with Modi, said India was “a rising Asian power” and Britain’s “biggest partner in the Indo-Pacific” adding that things Modi called Johnson’s visit “a historic moment”.

India has traditionally been dependent on military imports from Russia – from fighter jets to missiles, tanks to naval warships. Johnson is said to have offered New Delhi assistance in building fighter jets as well as other military technology, a move aimed at reducing Indian dependence on Russian military imports.

The UK, in a statement, said it “will also seek to support India’s requirements for new technology to identify and respond to threats in the Indian Ocean”, without naming China.