India, UK share Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: MEA
New Delhi, June 4
The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said in a statement that India and the United Kingdom share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, released amid the visit of the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.
"India and the United Kingdom share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The historical ties have transformed into a robust, multi-faceted, mutually beneficial relationship over the years. The visit of Foreign Secretary Cooper further strengthens the bilateral relationship," read the statement.
During her visit, Cooper called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held the first annual meeting with the External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar to review the India-UK Vision 2035, adopted during the visit of the Prime Minister to the UK in July 2025.
According to the MEA, there were key outcomes in the areas of education, critical minerals, and maritime security during the visit.
"During their meeting, both Ministers reviewed the progress made under all five pillars of India-UK Vision 2035, including Growth, Technology and Innovation, Defence and Security, Climate and Clean Energy, and Education," noted the MEA.
The two Ministers agreed that education remained one of the most successful pillars of bilateral cooperation and looked forward to the early convening of the first Ministerial Dialogue on Education.
The Ministry of Education handed over the Letter of Approval to the University of Liverpool to open its Bengaluru campus under India's New Education Policy (NEP), in the presence of EAM, Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan, and the UK Foreign Secretary.
"The Liverpool University campus in Bengaluru is expected to begin operations from the next academic year," said the MEA.
"The Memorandum of Understanding between King's College London and the National Maritime Foundation to establish the Regional Maritime Security Centre for Excellence (RMSCE), established under the 'Maritime Security' pillar of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), was also exchanged during the visit," it added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative is a smart move. With China's growing presence in the Indian Ocean, such partnerships are crucial for safeguarding our maritime interests. 🇮🇳
Nice to see the UK-India relationship growing beyond trade to include education, critical minerals, and maritime security. The 2035 Vision seems ambitious but achievable with regular ministerial meetings like this.
The historical colonial baggage is finally giving way to a truly equal partnership. However, I hope the UK reciprocates equally on visa liberalization for Indian students and professionals. That's the real test of "comprehensive" partnership.
Great to see King's College London collaborating with India's National Maritime Foundation. The UK has world-class expertise in maritime security, and India's strategic location makes this a win-win partnership for the Indo-Pacific 🌏
Actually, I'm cautiously optimistic. While the education collaboration is welcome, the critical minerals aspect needs more scrutiny—we must ensure India retains control over our strategic resources. Otherwise, this is a well-negotiated engagement. 👏
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