India's view of the world · A factual referenceLast updated 12 May 2026 · Edition 04
COUNTRY RELATIONSHIP · UNITED KINGDOM
India & United Kingdom
COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC PARTNERROADMAP 2030FTA SIGNED 2025COMMONWEALTH
India and the UK's historical ties have transformed into a robust, multi-faceted relationship, upgraded to a 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' at the May 2021 virtual Summit alongside the ten-year India-UK Roadmap 2030. Following Labour's July 2024 election win under PM Keir Starmer, the two Prime Ministers announced the conclusion of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement and a Double Contribution Convention on 6 May 2025 - a historic milestone after three years of negotiation.
COOPERATION AREAS
Where India and United Kingdom actually work together
7 active areas of cooperation, as of July 2025. Click any card for the full brief.
TRADE & INVESTMENT
By the numbers
Calendar year 2024 figures (goods + services) as cited in MEA bilateral brief (July 2025). Goods trade ~£18bn, services trade ~£25bn.
£43bn (~$54bn)
Total bilateral trade in goods
£26bn (~$33bn)
India exports to country
£17bn (~$21bn)
India imports from country
$35bn cumulative (to Sept 2024); UK is 6th-largest FDI source
United Kingdom FDI into India (cumulative)
Trade trajectory · USD bn
$43bnin 2024 · click a bar to compare years
TOP TRADED ITEMS
AGREEMENTS & MILESTONES
The relationship since 1947, in 9 dates
CURRENT STATE
Where things stand, 2025
The relationship has entered a new phase following the May 2025 conclusion of the India-UK FTA - one of India's most comprehensive trade agreements - after three years of negotiation under both Conservative and Labour governments. PM Starmer, whose party's manifesto explicitly called for a new strategic partnership with India, has maintained continuity on the FTA, defence and education tracks established under Roadmap 2030. Implementation of the FTA and the Double Contribution Convention, alongside continued growth in NHS workforce cooperation and UK-bound Indian student numbers, are the near-term focus areas.
SIGNALS TO WATCH
On track / positive momentum
In progress / worth watching
Stalled or facing headwinds
Not yet started / unclear
QUICK FACTS
CapitalLondon
Population68 million
RegionEurope
Diplomatic tiesSince 1947
Indian diaspora1.864 million (2021 Census, ~2.6% of UK population)
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