The United Kingdom views India as one of the most important stabilising forces in an increasingly fractured global order, British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron said while speaking at the Observer Research Foundation.
Speaking ahead of India’s 77th Republic Day, Cameron said Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has placed India at the centre of its foreign policy priorities, anchored by the recently concluded UK–India Free Trade Agreement and the long-term Vision 2035 roadmap.
“The world today requires pragmatic, agile multilateralism. Retreating into isolation will not help any country deal with a fractured world,” Cameron said, adding that the UK was committed to engaging with global realities “as they are, not as we wish them to be.”
She said the trade agreement, now moving into its delivery phase, is expected to boost bilateral trade by more than 50 per cent, potentially adding around USD 25 billion annually. Cameron noted that businesses in both countries were already responding positively, with rising investments and new commercial partnerships.
India’s economic trajectory was highlighted as a central factor in Britain’s long-term planning. Cameron described India as a future economic powerhouse, noting that the country is projected to become the world’s third-largest economy by the end of the decade. She said failing to prepare for India’s rise would be a strategic mistake for any country.
Education and people-to-people ties were identified as key growth areas, with nine British universities planning to establish campuses or partnerships in India under the country’s new education policy. The initiative aims to deepen long-term links between the two democracies, she said.
On global security issues, Cameron reiterated the UK’s support for Ukraine, describing Russia’s invasion as illegal and calling for an end to the conflict. While acknowledging India’s independent position, she said New Delhi remained an important voice in international efforts to end the war.
She also outlined Britain’s increasingly pragmatic approach to China, stressing the need to balance economic engagement with national security considerations. Reducing over-dependence on single suppliers and strengthening supply-chain resilience had become essential lessons after the pandemic and recent geopolitical disruptions, she said.
Addressing humanitarian crises, Cameron warned against ignoring conflicts outside the global spotlight, describing Sudan as the world’s worst humanitarian emergency. She also referred to the “devastating” human suffering in Gaza and called for sustained efforts to convert the ceasefire into lasting peace.
The High Commissioner said the UK and India were expanding cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in maritime security and defence, reflecting India’s growing role as a regional security provider.
She described the UK–India relationship as one of the most promising partnerships of the coming decade, emphasising that mature alliances require addressing differences respectfully while focusing on practical outcomes.
