Keir Starmer To Be Next UK PM: What This Means for India.

Keir Starmer’s Labour Party has won the 2024 UK elections, defeating Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party. Sunak has already conceded defeat, making way for the next PM in line. Starmer is expected to assume the role of Britain’s new PM on Friday. With this new leadership, India’s bilateral relations with the UK are now under spotlight. Let’s find out how this big political shift is going to impact the future of bilateral relations between India and the UK. Keir Starmer To Be Next

Labour Party, which has been out of power since 2010, outlined a foreign policy approach termed “progressive realism. According to David Lammy, who will likely assume the role of foreign secretary.Keir Starmer To Be Next

Keir Starmer garnered 18,884 votes in this election, with independent candidate and pro-Palestinian activist Andrew Feinstein coming in second place. However, Starmer’s majority saw a notable decrease from 22,766 votes in 2019 to 11,572 votes in this election.

During his poll campaign, Starmer had hinted at boosting ties with India and stressed on the importance of cultivating a proper relationship. Starmer’s manifesto included a commitment to pursue a “new strategic” partnership with India and indicated a free trade agreement (FTA). He also made a determined push to woo the growing Hindu voters in the country with visits to various temples. The approach was a marked shift from the party’s stance under former leader Jeremy Corbyn.

In the past, the Labour Party has often come under fire for their stand on the Kashmir issue. Their stance has been in stark contrast with the British government’s view that Kashmir is a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan.

Under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, the party had in September 2019 passed an emergency motion seeking international observers to “enter” Kashmir and demand the right of self-determination for its people. It also called for Mr Corbyn to meet the high commissioners of both India and Pakistan to ensure there is “mediation” and restoration of peace and normality to prevent a potential nuclear conflict.

Keir Starmer has a daunting in-tray when his Labour party gets to work governing Britain after almost a decade and a half in opposition.

“It’s more a gigantic trunk of problems,” political scientist Karl Pike told AFP. Listing issues ranging from ending strikes in the state-run health service to negotiating new post-Brexit deal with the European Union.

Starmer, 61, has six priorities to “change” the United Kingdom following 14 years of largely chaotic. Conservative rule dominated by Brexit, a crippling cost-of-living crisis and fratricidal infighting.

But implementing his so-called “first steps” will be far from easy due to a battered economy, public services. That are on their knees and widespread disillusionment with the political establishment.

Another key aspect of Starmer’s foreign policy agenda will be strengthening UK-India relations. Acknowledging historical missteps, particularly Labour’s stance on issues like Kashmir. Starmer has pledged to forge a new strategic partnership with India. His commitment to a free trade agreement (FTA) and enhanced bilateral cooperation in technology, security, education, and climate change underscores his ambition to elevate relations with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

His manifesto included a commitment to pursue a “new strategic partnership” with India, emphasizing the trade agreement.

In a bid to repair strained ties with the Indian diaspora in the UK. Starmer during his campaign embarked on domestic outreach efforts. Denouncing Hinduphobia and celebrating cultural festivals like Diwali and Holi. These gestures are aimed at fostering greater trust and inclusion within British-Indian communities, a demographic vital to Labor’s electoral calculus.

However, challenges loom on the path to realising Starmer’s ambitious foreign policy goals, particularly concerning immigration policies and trade agreements. With bipartisan consensus on the need to reduce immigration, negotiations on temporary visas for Indian workers in the UK service industry present a delicate balancing act for Labour.