The recent elections in Britain have presented a new political landscape with the defeat of Rishi Sunak’s government and the victory of Keir Starmer’s Labour Party. Starmer is set to become the Prime Minister of the UK, having secured his personal win from the North London seat.
After his victory, he stated, “Tonight, here and across the country, people have spoken. They are ready for change. This change begins here because this is your democracy, your community, and your future. You have voted, and now it is our turn to fulfill it.”
With the Labour Party’s victory, policy changes are certain, not only domestically but also internationally, including potential changes in UK-India relations. Let’s see what the Labour Party’s victory might mean for New Delhi.
New Delhi’s Old Concerns
The departure of Rishi Sunak and the return of the Labour Party in the UK might revive some old concerns regarding bilateral relations with India. Under former leader Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour Party was perceived as hostile towards New Delhi. In September 2019, the Labour Party passed an emergency resolution on Kashmir when India revoked Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
The resolution stated that there was a significant humanitarian crisis in Kashmir and called for “international observers to enter the region.” It also mentioned “enforced disappearances,” “widespread human rights violations,” and the “house arrest/detention of mainstream politicians and activists.”
This resolution led to significant protests from the British Indian community, prompting Corbyn to later clarify that he considered Kashmir a “bilateral matter between India and Pakistan.” When the Labour Party faced defeat in the 2019 elections, many attributed this loss to the Kashmir resolution.
However, under Starmer, the party has revived itself and distanced from its previous stance on Kashmir. Starmer has himself announced that Labour will maintain close relations with India and the British Indian community, which numbers around 1.8 million and contributes over six percent to the British economy.
Tough Stance on Anti-Hindu and Khalistani Hate
Under Starmer’s leadership, the Labour Party’s victory might bring a change in stance on anti-Hindu issues. Last Friday, during a visit to the Shri Swaminarayan Temple in Kingsbury, Starmer stated that “there is no place for Hinduphobia in Britain” and Labour will “forge a new strategic partnership with India.”
“If we are elected next week, we will strive to govern in the spirit of service, so we can serve you and a world in need,” he said. “Empowered by Hindu values, you are not only contributing massively to our economy but also bringing innovation and expertise that keep us competitive in the global market.”
The party has also vowed to eliminate anti-India sentiments within its ranks and establish a strong strategic partnership with the Narendra Modi-led administration. And it’s not just words.
In April, the party began an investigation against one of its Sikh councilors, Parbinder Kaur, for sharing posts supporting Khalistani terrorist groups and militants responsible for killing public figures in India. Last September, the Labour Party demoted Indian-origin Shadow Minister Preet Kaur Gill after reports linked her to Khalistani militants.
Approval of Free Trade Agreement
Besides these issues, the Labour Party has stated that it is “ready” to forge a free trade agreement (FTA) with India if it wins the election. At the end of June, Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy clarified that the FTA would be the “foundation” of their partnership with his “friend” Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar.
“Many Diwalis have come and gone without a trade deal, and many businesses are waiting,” he said. “My message to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is that Labour is ready. Let’s finally complete our free trade agreement and move forward.” He added that if elected on July 4, he would be in Delhi by the end of July. Lammy said that the Conservatives have made “more promises and delivered less” regarding UK-India relations.
He also promised that Labour would reestablish relations with India. He said, “With Labour, the days of Boris Johnson reciting old Rudyard Kipling poems in Asia will be over. If I read a poem in India, it will be by Tagore because, with a powerhouse like India, the areas of cooperation and learning are limitless.”
India and the UK have completed 13 rounds of FTA negotiations, but talks have stalled due to the electoral cycle. The Deccan Chronicle also mentioned that, unlike Sunak, who was cautious about showing any overt Indian bias due to his inherent Indian background, Starmer might openly display a positive Indian bias, as it makes sense economically and even from a partisan perspective.
Future Direction
It will be interesting to see what happens next and whether Starmer can build on the existing India-UK relationship. Only time will tell. But considering Labour Party’s promises and policy changes, we can expect a positive shift in India-UK relations. Starmer’s victory presents a new direction and new possibilities for India, and it is crucial for both countries to fully capitalize on these opportunities.
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