Can pro-Khalistan protest in London cast a shadow over UK-India FTA deal?

New Delhi: The relationship between India and the UK may be at risk due to repeated protests by anti-India elements outside the Indian High Commission in London. India is concerned about the growing support of Khalistan in the UK and the lack of protection for its mission in London, which was vandalized during a recent protest by Pro Khalistan activists.

The Indian government in reprisal removed security barricades outside the home of the British envoy in Delhi. Such a fall in events may deteriorate the ongoing relationship between India and UK.

Fringe elements threaten India-UK trade and relationship

Although Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have a strong relationship, challenges are emerging on matters that are important to India's internal peace and law and order. It is necessary for both leaders to reassess these challenges that are possibly instigated by some extremist groups and potentially supported by a third country that may not want India and the UK to progress in their trade and relationship.

Earlier, in 2022, India and the UK were also involved in a minor verbal exchange regarding individuals who overstayed their visas in the UK. The UK's Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, had stated that Indians formed the largest group of visa overstayers. This statement was not well-received by India, particularly given the ongoing trade negotiations where it is thought that even issues pertaining to Mobility and Migration are under discussion as a part of these negotiations.

UK-India FTA deal

The proposed free trade agreement between the UK and India, which is anticipated to be finalized later this year, could lead to an increase in investment, job opportunities, and cultural connections. Over the past two years, both nations have engaged in discussions to enhance trade and investment, and they are optimistic about strengthening their collaboration to tackle worldwide issues such as climate change, security, terrorism, and pandemic. With the cost-of-living crises rising in the UK, numerous strikes, double inflation, and post-Brexit teething issues, the UK government will be more interested to close this deal quicker as they potentially move into the election year 2024.

When the Indian Prime Minister met UK Prime Minister on the sidelines of the G-20 meeting in Indonesia, Modi said "robust ties" with the United Kingdom were of great importance to India."We discussed ways to increase commercial linkages, raise the scope of security cooperation in the context of India's defence reforms and make people-to-people ties even stronger," Modi said on Twitter after the meeting.

UK-India ties and future

India and UK have a 2030 vision for revitalised connections between people-to-people, re-energised trade, investment and technological collaboration, and enhanced defence and security cooperation that brings a more secure Indian Ocean Region and Indo-Pacific and India-UK leadership in climate, clean energy and health that acts as a global force for good.

Both countries are vibrant democracies and leading economies of the world and are suitably placed to bring their strengths to address global challenges about climate, security, terrorism and pandemics. With an ambitious relationship and taking care of the internal security of India's interest in the UK and the UK's interest in India, the relationship can be elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

There is a hugely successful Indian diaspora based in the UK who are not only contributing to the increase of the country's revenue but also massively involved in the UK polity. This soft power will guide cooperation for the next several years, covering all aspects of multi-faceted relations between the two countries. Both countries need to look into the interests of each other, and as two modern, open and democratic societies, the bonds between the people and the countries need to strengthen further.

The India-UK relationship has shared history, values, and culture at its heart, with the firm understanding of each other that it brings. It has created a highly educated and economically dynamic living bridge, with 1.6 million Britons of Indian origin.

Steps to develop trust and faith

To further develop and establish trust and confidence, both countries must examine each other's domestic interests to promote further cooperation and enhance bilateral institutional mechanisms.

Immediate steps include improving high-level and ministerial contacts to strengthen bilateral institutional mechanisms and eliminate any misunderstandings.

The Indian and UK intelligence agencies should create an efficient high-level mechanism for sharing and exchanging information and threats to their respective countries, including terrorism.

To enhance mutual understanding and reinforce democratic and institutional partnership, people-to-people exchanges between parliamentarians, judiciary, media, executive agencies, and public bodies are crucial.

In addition, promoting dialogues between think tanks and academic institutions on various aspects of strategic relations is equally important.

Lastly, it is essential to strengthen cooperation and take resolute and unified actions against internationally prohibited terrorists and terrorist organizations.