New Delhi: The speech given by the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, on January 9, at the Locarno suite of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London, now referred to as the ‘Locarno’ speech in diplomatic circles, has come to be viewed as a guide to the future direction of the UK’s foreign policy, particularly in relation to India.
The speech signifies a clear departure from the UK’s traditional foreign policy focus on regions such as Europe and the United States. It highlights a pivot toward emerging economies and the Global South, with India’s significant role in the Indo-Pacific and its growing geopolitical and economic importance being central to this strategy.
Lammy’s speech also outlined the UK’s broader goal of engaging more with regions that are increasingly influential, such as India, South Africa, and other countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. He specifically mentioned India as one of the key countries with which the UK is forging stronger ties, emphasising the importance of collaborating with nations like India to address global challenges.
The mention of India’s role in climate finance and its growing influence aligns with the UK’s broader focus on economic partnerships, technological collaboration, and the clean energy transition. This suggests that India’s rising influence, both economically and geopolitically, is a key consideration in the UK’s vision for the future, which aligns with the UK’s interest in tapping into emerging markets and regions with strong economic growth, such as India.
In his speech, Lammy also referred to the need to avoid harm from US-China competition, underscoring India’s growing importance in balancing power dynamics in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Sources in Delhi noted that bilateral relations between London and Delhi are “better than ever,” with expectations that this trajectory will continue, particularly with the resumption of discussions on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) last month. Once signed, the FTA is expected to radically transform the relationship between the two countries, providing a robust legal framework capable of absorbing any future disturbances without substantially affecting ties.
Sources also indicated that recent UK governments have been more receptive to India’s security concerns, particularly regarding Khalistani elements and wanted criminals. This shift is evident in the growing cooperation on economic fugitives such as Sanjay Bhandari, Nirav Modi, and Vijay Mallya, with expectations that at least one of these individuals will be returned to India this year.
The strengthening of ties between the two countries is further evident in a series of defence-related collaborations that have taken place in recent months. The Defence Partnership – India (DP-I) was recently launched, establishing a dedicated programme office within the UK’s Ministry of Defence. This office will serve as a one-stop shop for strengthening bilateral defence collaboration between the two countries.
Additionally, UK-based Thales and India’s Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) signed a contract to deliver Laser Beam Riding MANPADs (LBRM), including an initial supply of High Velocity Missiles (STARStreak) and launchers in 2025. Following this initial contract, Thales and BDL will collaborate further to produce Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM). This partnership integrates BDL and Indian defence industries into Thales’ global supply chain, boosting job creation, security cooperation, and interoperability between the armed forces.
MBDA UK, the British division of the pan-European missile systems company MBDA, and BDL have also been working together on the installation of India’s first Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) assembly and test facility in Hyderabad. This facility will arm India’s current fleet of fighter jets and potentially enable exports to other countries.
On the maritime front, the UK and India have signed a Statement of Intent to design and develop an Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) system for India’s next-generation Landing Platform Dock (LPD) fleet. GE Vernova and BHEL are also collaborating to develop India’s first maritime Land-Based Testing Facility, with the goal of delivering the LPD to the water by 2030.