5.2. India and UK Bilateral Ties

♤ Bilateral relationship was upgraded to a strategic partnership in 2004.

♤ During his tenure of British Prime Minister David Cameron visited India thrice in his first term (July 2010, February 2013 and November 2013).

♤ The successful visit of Prime Minister Modi to the UK in November 2015 gave further impetus to the bilateral relationship.

♤ Both Prime Ministers resolved to hold biennial PM-level Summits to advance the partnership and agreed on a new Defence and International Security Partnership aimed to intensify cooperation on defence and security, including cyber security, counter-terrorism and maritime security

♤ UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit to India in November 2016, which was her first overseas bilateral visit after assuming office in July 2016, reflects the continuity of interactions at the highest political level.

♤ In the context of Brexit, the Commonwealth Summit scheduled in London in April 2018 presents another opportunity for both countries to infuse fresh momentum to the bilateral engagement through a meeting at Heads of Government-level.

5.2.1. Dialogue Mechanism o Economic and Financial Dialogue at Finance Minister-level Joint Economic & Trade Committee at Commerce Minister-level o Counter Terrorism Dialogue.♤ 7% of all foreign direct investment into India.5.2.3. Defence Ties 5.2.4. Education, Science and Technology ♤ Education is an important plank of the India-UK bilateral relationship.♤ 35 British faculty members have visited India under the Global Initiative for Academic Network (GIAN) programme.♤ Joint investment in UK-India research has grown from less than £1 million in 2008 to over 5.2.5. Diaspora