Britain and Indian officials met on Tuesday to talk about trade agreements, which comes after Britain left the European Union early last year. Both foreign ministers commented that they were serious about their trading relationship, which means all signs point to a free trade agreement. For Britain, it is crucial for them to have new trading relationships because they are on their own now. As for India, they left the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, thus they are in the market for economic partners. In 2018, their trade relationship summed to a total of 26.60 billion dollars, which they both hope to increase in the upcoming years.
Once one of their colony, India’s relationship with Britain has reversed roles now that India is the second largest foreign investor of the United Kingdom. The fluidity of alliance theory explains that the state’s relationships with one another is strong when it’s convenient. As India becomes a prominent leader in the South and Central Asia region, more countries want a trade relationship, or sign treaties with them. Before their various markets flourished, India was not being sought after by many states. Recently, there has been more news about China and the United States fighting over economic ties with India. Their quiet rise to power has been a lot from India to handle as they have geared their focus from internal relations to foreign relationships.
While the recent foreign treaties passed has helped India’s economy, it has not helped the working people of India. India’s increasing of its international policy has affected their state more than usual. India has been dealing with Kashmir and China almost like a two front war, meanwhile it has been drafting economic agreements with many MDCs. This has led to many citizens to complain about the differences in foreign policy and domestic legislation. Balancing domestic and foreign relations at this level has been new to India, therefore it will take time for them to adjust to their new responsibilities with their allies and their people.