🇮🇳🇬🇧 India-UK Relations Enter New Phase: PM Modi Announces Air Force Trainers to Be Sent to UK
New Delhi, India – In a significant step forward in India-UK defence cooperation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that Indian Air Force (IAF) flying instructors will be deployed to the United Kingdom to train Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots. The move follows a formal request from the UK government, highlighting the deepening trust and strategic alignment between the two nations.
“We have signed an agreement on cooperation in military training. Under this, Indian Air Force flying instructors will work as trainers in the UK’s Royal Air Force,” said PM Modi during a joint press event with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
This is the first time in history that Indian military trainers will be involved in training UK armed forces personnel — a milestone that signals India’s growing recognition as a global defence partner.
Konkan 2025 & Broader Military Collaboration
Coinciding with PM Starmer’s visit, Indian naval vessels are participating in Konkan 2025, a bilateral maritime exercise with the UK Royal Navy. This reflects the growing scope of joint military operations, training, and interoperability between the two countries.
The IAF trainer deployment and joint naval drills exemplify how India-UK defence relations are expanding beyond symbolic gestures into operational substance.
Global Contrast: Transparency vs. Secrecy
The transparency of this government-to-government agreement stands in stark contrast to reports about China’s covert hiring of retired UK military pilots to train its air force. While China allegedly pursued backchannel arrangements, India and the UK have chosen full public disclosure and institutional cooperation.
The contrast also extends to regional rivals. Unlike Pakistan, which has historically relied on external training and imported systems, India’s military talent is increasingly being recognized and relied upon by global partners — including long-standing NATO allies like the UK.
🌍 A Strategic Partnership Beyond Defence
Prime Minister Starmer’s visit marks a turning point in India-UK relations, extending well beyond defence into trade, education, and cultural cooperation.
One of the major outcomes is the repositioning of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), a rare and high-level mechanism that India maintains with only a select group of countries. This is expected to:
- Streamline bilateral trade negotiations
- Accelerate progress on the long-awaited India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
- Expand investment flows and market access on both sides
A Record-Setting Trade Delegation
Starmer’s delegation is the largest UK business mission to India ever, comprising over 125 CEOs, university leaders, and cultural institution heads — a clear signal of intent from London to prioritize its relationship with New Delhi.
The UK government has labeled the visit as a major economic milestone, underscoring the shared interest in deepening ties amid shifting global dynamics.
💬 Russian Oil Question: Starmer Chooses Diplomacy
When asked by reporters about India’s continued oil imports from Russia, PM Starmer avoided confrontation, stating:
“I’m not going to send a letter to Vladimir Putin. We don’t have good relations with him. But I won’t comment on India’s oil purchases.”
This noncommittal stance signals a desire to keep India-UK relations free from geopolitical entanglements — a departure from earlier Western attempts to pressure India over its stance on Russia.
📈 India’s Rising Role in UK Trade
India is currently the UK’s 11th-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade valued at approximately £39–40 billion. However, both sides aim to double this figure by 2030.
With Indian companies ramping up investments in the UK, and vice versa, the upcoming FTA could significantly reduce tariffs and unlock further growth.
As it stands:
- EU remains the UK’s top trading partner
- USA is second
- Followed by Netherlands, France, and China
India is poised to break into the top five within the next few years, especially as UK sectors such as healthcare, technology, and manufacturing increasingly rely on Indian talent and supply chains.
🎬 Bollywood Boost: Yash Raj Films to Shoot 3 Films in UK
In a notable cultural development, PM Starmer announced that India’s Yash Raj Films (YRF) will shoot three upcoming Bollywood films in the UK, as part of a strategic initiative to position Britain as a premier destination for Indian cinema.
“Bollywood is back in Britain,” said Starmer, highlighting that the productions are expected to generate 3,000 new jobs and stimulate local economic activity.
This marks a new chapter in cultural diplomacy between the two countries.
🤝 A New Era of India-UK Cooperation
Recent months have seen the UK and India formalize agreements across multiple sectors, including:
- Defence and security
- Trade and investment
- Higher education and research
- Cultural exchange and creative industries
Despite representing different political ideologies — with Starmer’s Labour Party succeeding the Conservative government of Rishi Sunak — the UK leadership appears committed to expanding strategic ties with India.
The momentum is unmistakable: India is not just a rising power, but increasingly a preferred partner on the global stage — and the UK is making sure it’s not left behind.