2025 an exceptional year for India-UK ties, says Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday described 2025 as an “exceptional year” for India-UK relations, highlighting major strides in trade, education, defence, and innovation.

Speaking at the United Kingdom’s National Day celebrations at the British Embassy in New Delhi, Jaishankar said he looked forward to maintaining the momentum of the partnership. In a post on X, he wrote, “Pleased to join UK National Day celebrations at the UK Embassy in New Delhi. 2025 was an exceptional year for India-UK cooperation. Look forward to continuing the momentum of our dynamic and forward-looking partnership.”

At the event, Jaishankar underscored how India and the UK have transformed their relationship from a “complicated historic association” into a “dynamic and forward-looking partnership.”

He noted that the year witnessed several landmark developments, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UK three months ago, during which both countries signed the historic Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (ECTA).

Jaishankar also highlighted the largest-ever UK trade delegation, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which visited Mumbai earlier this year.

“It is my great pleasure to join the celebration of the National Day of the United Kingdom,” Jaishankar said. “Over the years, our ties have evolved from a complicated historic association to a dynamic and forward-looking partnership. This year has been an exceptional year for our modern relationship. We welcomed PM Keir Starmer in Mumbai, accompanied by the largest-ever trade delegation from the UK. PM Modi himself visited the UK three months ago, when the historic Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement was signed.”

He added that during Modi’s visit, both leaders also adopted Vision 2035, which will guide bilateral relations across five key pillars — growth, technology and innovation; defence and security; climate change and clean energy; and education.

Jaishankar further announced that nine leading UK universities have received approval to establish campuses in India, marking a major milestone in educational collaboration.

“We also adopted a defence industrial roadmap for the first time,” he said. “The High Commissioner mentioned that it is a development of significance that nine leading UK universities have received approval to establish campuses in India.”

The External Affairs Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the UK, calling the year a defining moment in shaping a stronger, future-oriented partnership between the two nations.

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