Forging a Future Together: India and the UK's Shared Vision
The recent India-UK CEO Forum, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened, marks a significant moment in the evolving relationship between our two nations. The discussions around deepening trade and economic partnership, operationalizing the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), and charting a 'Vision 2035' roadmap for shared progress truly resonate with my long-held perspectives on global collaboration and India's pivotal role in it.
A Roadmap for Mutual Prosperity
I’ve been closely following the developments, as both leaders reaffirmed their shared ambition to double bilateral trade by 2030, focusing on critical sectors like advanced manufacturing, digital trade, clean energy, and services "Piyush Goyal, Keir Starmer discuss ways to deepen trade and economic partnership". It’s heartening to see such a clear and ambitious trajectory.
The Global Impact of India's Growth
As I reflect on this, it strikes me how consistently India has contributed to global prosperity through its economic engagements. Years ago, I highlighted this very dynamic in my blog, "Creating jobs all over the world" (2013). I noted then how, in a short span, India’s trade deals had helped create hundreds of thousands of jobs worldwide. Today, as PM Modi emphasizes that CETA will create new job opportunities for youth in both nations, it feels like a powerful validation of that earlier insight "India-UK Trade agreement will create new jobs: PM Modi". India’s economic momentum doesn’t just benefit us; it creates ripples of opportunity globally.
Advancing 'Make in India' through Collaboration
The idea of strengthening partnerships for mutual benefit has always been a cornerstone of my thinking. When discussing the 'Make in India' initiative, I’ve consistently advocated for fostering collaborations between foreign and Indian companies. In my 2014 blog, "Make in India", I detailed how encouraging local manufacturing and reducing import dependency could revitalize our capital goods industry. More recently, in "PM to US tech firms" (2024), I emphasized that Modi's call for co-development and co-production with US tech giants resonated with the need to bridge gaps in the 'Make in India' platform by providing seamless interactions for foreign investors. The India-UK CEO Forum, bringing together business leaders from both countries, is a direct manifestation of this vision, fostering the very interactions needed to boost investments and technological advancements "PM Modi addresses India-UK CEO forum in Mumbai".
The Digital Frontier and Fintech Leadership
The focus on digital trade and the Global Fintech Fest are particularly exciting. Years ago, in "3 Laws of E-Commerce" (2017) and "India ready to engage with other nations on data, FDI, e-commerce on reciprocal basis: Piyush Goyal" (2019), I had already brought up the importance of a robust e-commerce policy and positioning India as a global hub for fintech. Seeing this vision now explicitly part of the India-UK strategic partnership, with both leaders attending the Global Fintech Fest, truly highlights how relevant those earlier insights still are "PM Modi To Meet British Counterpart Keir Starmer In Mumbai Today: What's The Itinerary?".
Strategic Trade and Overcoming Barriers
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal's discussions with UK's Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle, on operationalizing CETA and addressing non-tariff barriers, further underscore the complexity and strategic nature of these agreements "Piyush Goyal, Keir Starmer discuss ways to deepen trade and economic partnership". It brings to mind my direct appeals to Shri Goyalji, such as in "Dear Shri Goyalji, Here is your Trump Card for negotiating BTAs with USA and FTAs with EU" (2025). In that piece, I proposed a dual scrapping strategy, suggesting that importing end-of-life vehicles could serve as a pivotal negotiating point in trade deals, addressing issues like environmental regulations and import dependencies. My proposal highlighted how India's cost advantage in scrapping could offer a mutually beneficial solution, turning a challenge into a strategic lever. This kind of innovative thinking around trade, leveraging India's unique capabilities to navigate global dynamics, remains crucial.
Vision 2035: A Comprehensive Partnership
The 'Vision 2035' roadmap is a testament to the comprehensive nature of this partnership, extending beyond mere trade to encompass technology, innovation, defence, security, climate, energy, health, education, and people-to-people ties "PM Modi To Meet British Counterpart Keir Starmer In Mumbai Today: What's The Itinerary?". It's a holistic approach to a truly strategic alliance, recognizing that true progress is multifaceted.
As India and the UK deepen their 'new modern partnership' "India, UK building 'new modern partnership', says Keir Starmer", I am filled with optimism. These dialogues are not just about signing agreements; they are about laying the groundwork for a future where shared values and mutual interests lead to unprecedented growth and stability for both nations and, by extension, the world.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
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