India-UK Relations - Roadmap 2030, FTA Negotiations, and Commonwealth

Introduction

India-UK relations have entered a more structured and forward-looking phase in the 2020s, shaped by three headline drivers: the India-UK Roadmap 2030 (the long-term framework for a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership), the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations launched in 2022 and later concluded as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), and the enduring Commonwealth connection that continues to influence diplomatic, people-to-people, and development cooperation.

Recent years have seen stronger institutional mechanisms and faster decision cycles. The Roadmap 2030 created a pillar-based approach to cooperation; the bilateral dialogue architecture expanded with the India-UK 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue (first held in 2023, second held in 2024); and the relationship diversified into emerging domains such as critical minerals, AI, future telecom, clean energy, and resilient supply chains. The launch of the UK-India Technology Security Initiative (TSI) in July 2024 added a security-economic lens to technology collaboration—bridging trade, innovation, and national security considerations.

For UPSC, India-UK relations are important for GS Paper 2 (International Relations) due to their relevance to trade policy, diaspora diplomacy, defence cooperation, and multilateral groupings (including the Commonwealth). The theme also connects to GS Paper 3 through technology, supply chains, clean energy, and innovation ecosystems.

Prelims Angle

• Roadmap 2030 launched in 2021; focuses on five pillars (People-to-people, Trade & Prosperity, Defence & Security, Climate, Health).
• India-UK 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue: inaugural (2023), second meeting (2024).
• FTA talks launched in 2022; concluded in May 2025; CETA signed in July 2025 (implementation/ratification process continues thereafter).
• Commonwealth: voluntary association of 56 member states; CHOGM 2024 held in Samoa.

Mains Angle

• Explain India-UK ties as a shift from post-colonial complexity to a pragmatic partnership: trade, technology, defence, climate, and diaspora as anchors.
• Assess how UK's post-Brexit trade strategy and India's global economic rise create both opportunity and bargaining friction.
• Link diaspora and Commonwealth to soft power, political influence, and development partnerships, while noting historical sensitivities.

Historical Evolution of India-UK Relations

1) Colonial legacy and post-independence reset

India-UK relations carry an unavoidable historical weight because of colonial rule. For India, the colonial period is associated with political subjugation, economic extraction, and social disruptions; for the UK, it is a complex legacy that shapes contemporary debates around historical justice and memory. After independence (1947), India's foreign policy prioritised sovereignty, strategic autonomy, and non-alignment. This created a relationship that was functional but cautious for several decades.

A key turning point was India's decision to remain in the Commonwealth as a republic (post-1950), signalling a pragmatic willingness to keep cooperative channels open while not compromising sovereignty. Over time, bilateral engagement broadened beyond political symbolism into trade, education, cultural links, and later technology and security cooperation.

2) Key milestones and agreements (illustrative)

• Post-1947: diplomatic ties re-established; migration from the subcontinent gradually expands into a major diaspora presence in the UK.
• 1990s–2000s: India's economic reforms and globalisation accelerate trade and investment ties; services and IT linkages expand.
• 2015: Defence and International Security Partnership (DISP) provides a more organised framework for defence cooperation.
• 2021: Roadmap 2030 launched; sets a decade-long, pillar-based cooperation agenda and elevates the partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• 2022: FTA negotiations formally launched; Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications signed (facilitating education cooperation).
• 2023–2024: new strategic dialogues (2+2) deepen defence/foreign policy coordination; technology-security cooperation intensifies.
• 2025: FTA concluded and signed as CETA; new defence industrial collaboration steps and investment announcements emerge.

Prelims Angle

• Remember the transition points: 2015 defence partnership; 2021 Roadmap; 2022 MRQ and FTA launch; 2023 2+2 start; 2025 CETA signing.
• India is a republic member of the Commonwealth; membership is voluntary.

Mains Angle

• Frame historical evolution as "legacy + realism": history influences narratives, but economics, diaspora, and common democratic values drive cooperation.
• Show continuity: from diaspora-led linkages to institutionalised strategic cooperation (Roadmap, 2+2, technology-security frameworks).

Roadmap 2030

1) Launch (2021) and strategic logic

The India-UK Roadmap 2030 was launched in 2021 to guide bilateral cooperation for a decade. It is significant because it converts broad goodwill into measurable and trackable commitments across multiple sectors, and explicitly positions the relationship as a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In practical terms, it encourages ministries, regulators, research bodies, businesses, and universities to work within a single "roadmap architecture" rather than fragmented initiatives.

2) Pillars and priority outcomes

For UPSC, the Roadmap's value lies in its pillar structure and the way it connects domestic priorities (skills, jobs, clean energy, technology ecosystems) with external partnerships. The five pillars also help in writing answers with a clear framework.

3) Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: why it matters

Calling India-UK ties a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signals that the relationship is not limited to diplomacy or trade alone. It means both sides aim to coordinate on geopolitical issues (Indo-Pacific stability, terrorism, cyber risks), while also creating tangible gains in economic growth, technology, education, and climate transitions. For India, such partnerships are useful when they support strategic autonomy—cooperating widely without entering rigid alliances.

Prelims Angle

• Roadmap 2030 launched in 2021; covers five pillars.
• Connect Roadmap with later initiatives: 2+2 dialogue, technology-security cooperation, and the trade deal (CETA).

Mains Angle

• Use Roadmap pillars as headings in answers: it naturally fits GS2 structure.
• Show how Roadmap reduces "event-driven diplomacy" and creates "process-driven cooperation".

Trade and Economic Relations

1) Current trade profile and strategic significance

Economic ties are the backbone of contemporary India-UK relations. The UK is a major partner for India in services trade (IT/ITES, business services, finance, education-related services), while goods trade includes textiles, engineering goods, gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and machinery. Beyond trade, the relationship is increasingly about investment flows, innovation collaboration, and supply-chain resilience.

Official statements in recent years have repeatedly highlighted an ambition to double bilateral trade by 2030. The trade agenda also carries a strategic dimension after Brexit: the UK seeks diversified market access and new trade corridors, while India seeks improved access for goods and services, along with stable rules for professionals and investors.

2) FTA negotiations status and evolution (launched 2022)

The India-UK FTA negotiations were launched in 2022. Negotiations experienced phases of momentum and slowdown due to domestic political calendars and sensitive bargaining issues. A notable pause occurred in 2024, followed by a restart and faster closure of talks in 2025. The negotiations were concluded in May 2025 and signed in July 2025 as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).

3) Key issues in negotiations: why they were difficult

• Market access in goods: India's tariff sensitivities (e.g., automobiles, spirits) vs UK export interests; India's push for duty-free access in labour-intensive sectors (textiles, leather, gems & jewellery).
• Services and digital trade: India's strength in IT/ITES and professional services; data governance, standards, and regulatory certainty.
• Mobility: India's interest in smoother temporary movement for skilled professionals; UK's domestic political constraints on migration. Middle-ground solutions include specific mobility routes and contribution/insurance arrangements.
• Standards and non-tariff barriers: conformity assessment, technical regulations, SPS measures; these often matter as much as tariffs.
• Investment protection: discussion of investment rules and dispute settlement often continues alongside or after an FTA in many cases.

4) What the CETA implies (exam-ready highlights)

From a policy perspective, the agreement aims to reduce tariffs across a large share of tariff lines and widen access in services. A practical takeaway for UPSC is to focus on employment-intensive export sectors on India's side (textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, certain engineering segments) and high-value exports for the UK (advanced manufacturing, select agri-food exports, premium spirits, and services). India's negotiation strategy typically protects the most sensitive sectors while offering phased liberalisation for others.

5) Trade & investment statistics (table)

Prelims Angle

• FTA launched in 2022; concluded (May 2025) and signed (July 2025) as CETA.
• Remember headline trade figure often cited: ~USD 56 billion; target to double by 2030.
• Investment: UK outward FDI stock in India and Indian FDI stock in UK are both significant and two-way.

Mains Angle

• Analyse FTA/CETA as "jobs + competitiveness + supply chains + services".
• Balance opportunities (market access, exports, investment) with risks (sector sensitivities, standards, adjustment costs).
• Link trade to strategic autonomy: diversified economic partnerships reduce over-dependence on any one bloc.

Defence and Security Cooperation

1) Strategic rationale

India and the UK cooperate in defence and security because of converging interests in a stable Indo-Pacific, maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber resilience, and defence industrial collaboration. For India, the UK adds value through high-end defence technology, niche industrial capabilities (aerospace components, naval systems, missiles), and experience in maritime domain awareness. For the UK, India is a major strategic and economic partner in the Indo-Pacific era and an important defence market as well as a co-development opportunity.

2) 2+2 Dialogue and institutional mechanisms

The India-UK 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue (at senior official level) is designed to review the entire spectrum of defence and foreign policy cooperation. It complements other mechanisms such as foreign office consultations, defence consultative dialogue, and specialised working groups on cyber and counter-terrorism. The 2+2 format is important for UPSC because it signals that defence is being treated alongside diplomacy in one integrated framework.

3) Joint exercises, operational interoperability and agreements

Exercises build trust and interoperability. India-UK cooperation includes long-running naval, army, and air force engagements, and increasingly focuses on complex maritime drills, counter-terrorism, and urban/semi-urban operations under UN-style mandates.

4) Defence technology and industrial cooperation

India-UK defence cooperation is moving beyond a buyer-seller pattern toward technology partnerships in select areas: aerospace components and propulsion, complex weapons, maritime systems, and dual-use technologies. Such cooperation aligns with India's goal of building domestic capability while diversifying defence supply chains beyond traditional dependencies.

5) Cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, and the "Five Eyes" context

Cyber and counter-terrorism are expanding domains of cooperation. The UK is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence grouping (US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand). While India is not part of this alliance, UK's intelligence ecosystem and cyber-security capacity can support cooperation on terrorism financing, cybercrime trends, threat assessments, and resilience. However, India typically remains cautious about deep intelligence integration due to sovereignty and data-security considerations. Therefore, cooperation often takes the form of dialogues, joint training, and selective information sharing rather than alliance-like commitments.

Prelims Angle

• India-UK 2+2: inaugural (2023), second (2024).
• Key exercises: Konkan (Navy), Ajeya Warrior (Army), Indradhanush (Air Force).
• Five Eyes members: US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand.

Mains Angle

• Argue that defence ties are shifting from "transactions" to "capability partnerships" (co-create/co-innovate).
• Assess benefits and constraints of intelligence/cyber cooperation given Five Eyes context and India's strategic autonomy.
• Link defence industrial cooperation to Make-in-India, exports, and resilient supply chains.

Living Bridge - Indian Diaspora in UK

1) Size and significance

The Indian diaspora in the UK is one of the strongest pillars of India-UK relations. It functions as a Living Bridge connecting economies, cultures, ideas, and politics. Census-based counts of people identifying with Indian ethnicity across the UK add up to roughly around 2 million, making this community among the largest and most influential diaspora groups in Britain.

2) Economic and cultural contributions

• Economic: entrepreneurship, leadership in services (IT, finance, healthcare), start-up linkages, and investment corridors.
• Education and skills: strong student and professional mobility; institutional partnerships between universities and research centres.
• Culture: Indian festivals, cuisine, arts, and sports diplomacy strengthen soft power and people-to-people trust.
• Politics: diaspora networks influence perceptions, parliamentary engagement, and local political participation, thereby shaping the broader bilateral atmosphere.

3) Young Professionals Scheme

The India Young Professionals Scheme enables selected Indian citizens (typically aged 18–30) to live and work in the UK for up to two years through a ballot-based process, with an annual quota framework (commonly referenced as 3,000 places in recent cycles). It represents a "mobility with safeguards" approach: structured, limited, and skill-oriented, while also strengthening mutual familiarity among young professionals.

Prelims Angle

• "Living Bridge" is a frequently used term for the India-UK diaspora connection.
• Young Professionals Scheme: youth mobility route; time-bound; ballot-based selection.

Mains Angle

• Show diaspora as a strategic asset: soft power, investment, technology networks, and political advocacy.
• Also mention governance challenges: misinformation, polarisation, and the need to protect diplomatic premises and community cohesion.

Commonwealth Connection

1) India-UK within the Commonwealth framework

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of states, many with historical links to the British Empire, but it functions today as a platform for consultation, development cooperation, youth and education initiatives, and shared norms. India and the UK are prominent members: India is among the largest members by population and influence, while the UK is historically central but increasingly positioned as one stakeholder among equals.

2) CHOGM and cooperation areas

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is the top political forum. CHOGM 2024 was held in Apia, Samoa, reflecting the Commonwealth's emphasis on small states and climate vulnerability. Key areas where India-UK cooperation can align within the Commonwealth include:

• Climate resilience and climate finance advisory support for vulnerable states.
• Ocean governance and sustainable blue economy (especially important for island states).
• Digital public infrastructure, digital inclusion, and governance capacities.
• Education and youth initiatives, scholarships, and skills partnerships.

3) Opportunities and debates

The Commonwealth is also a space where historical debates surface—especially around colonial legacies and reparative justice discussions. For India, the Commonwealth is useful when it delivers tangible outcomes (capacity building, climate resilience tools, development cooperation) rather than symbolic nostalgia. India's approach typically remains pragmatic: use multilateral platforms to advance development priorities while maintaining full sovereignty.

Prelims Angle

• Commonwealth: voluntary association; membership is not automatic.
• CHOGM 2024 held in Samoa.

Mains Angle

• Evaluate Commonwealth as a "soft multilateral platform" for development diplomacy, climate action, and small-state partnerships.
• Balance utility with critiques: limited binding power, historical sensitivities, and varied member priorities.

Education and Research

1) UKIERI and institutional partnerships

Education cooperation is one of the strongest "non-controversial" pillars of India-UK ties. The UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) has operated since 2006 and is a flagship platform for university partnerships, researcher exchanges, leadership training, and skills collaborations. In recent years, the education relationship has broadened to include transnational education models, joint programmes, and research-commercialisation pathways.

2) Recognition of qualifications and student mobility

The Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications memorandum (signed in 2022) supports smoother academic mobility, admissions, and institutional coordination. Student mobility remains a major component of India-UK people-to-people ties. While policy changes in the UK can affect trends, India continues to be one of the top sources of international students in Britain, especially at the postgraduate level.

3) Education cooperation programmes (table)

Prelims Angle

• UKIERI started in 2006; MRQ signed in 2022.
• Education is a major "people-to-people" pillar under Roadmap 2030.

Mains Angle

• Explain education ties as strategic: talent mobility, innovation, and long-term trust-building.
• Discuss how education cooperation can reduce friction in mobility debates by offering structured routes (skills, research, and short-term exchanges).

Science, Technology and Innovation

1) Newton-Bhabha Fund and research collaboration

Science and innovation cooperation has grown through structured funding and partnership platforms. The Newton-Bhabha Fund (initiated in the mid-2010s) supports joint research and innovation projects across sectors such as health, climate, and advanced technologies. Such mechanisms matter for UPSC because they demonstrate how international partnerships can strengthen domestic innovation ecosystems without compromising strategic autonomy.

2) Technology Security Initiative (TSI) and critical technologies

The UK-India Technology Security Initiative (launched in July 2024) introduced a new framework to cooperate on "defining technologies" that have both economic and national security importance. Priority areas commonly highlighted include telecom security, critical minerals, AI, quantum, semiconductors, advanced materials, and health/biotechnology. This is especially relevant for answers on supply-chain resilience and trusted technology ecosystems.

3) Space cooperation

Space cooperation is referenced within the broader Roadmap agenda: joint work can include peaceful applications, data-sharing for climate and disaster resilience, industry linkages, and collaboration on global space governance norms. For India, space partnerships that enhance applications (agriculture, disaster management, connectivity) are strategically valuable and development-oriented.

4) Clean energy partnerships

Climate and clean energy cooperation increasingly overlaps with technology cooperation. India and the UK have explored collaboration in areas such as offshore wind, green hydrogen, grid modernisation, energy efficiency, and climate finance mobilisation. For UPSC, the key is to connect clean energy cooperation to India's broader goals: energy security, green jobs, and resilient infrastructure.

Prelims Angle

• Newton-Bhabha Fund: UK-India research and innovation partnership framework.
• TSI (2024): covers critical and emerging technologies (AI, telecom, critical minerals, semiconductors, quantum, biotech, advanced materials).

Mains Angle

• Show technology cooperation as "strategic + developmental": supply chains, trusted tech, and clean energy transitions.
• Discuss governance: data security, standards, export controls, and balancing openness with security.

Challenges in India-UK Relations

1) Historical sensitivities

Historical memory remains a background factor in public discourse—issues such as colonial-era economic exploitation, cultural artefacts, and narratives of historical justice can influence perceptions. While governments often focus on forward-looking cooperation, domestic politics and civil society debates can raise historical issues periodically.

2) Visa and immigration concerns

Mobility is both a connector and a friction point. India seeks smoother temporary movement for skilled professionals and predictable pathways for students. The UK faces domestic political pressures around migration and may tighten rules in response. Managing mobility through structured schemes (student pathways, youth schemes, short-term professional transfers) becomes crucial.

3) Extremism and security concerns (including Khalistani elements)

India has raised concerns about the activities of certain extremist or secessionist elements and intimidation around diplomatic premises and community spaces. The UK, as a host state, is expected to ensure security of diplomatic missions and uphold public order while balancing free speech and lawful protest. Such issues can create diplomatic strain and require consistent law-enforcement coordination.

4) Post-Brexit dynamics

Brexit reshaped UK's trade strategy and regulatory environment. While this creates opportunities for bespoke agreements with India, it can also introduce uncertainty in standards, regulatory alignment, and the UK's negotiating posture. India's approach is to pursue market access while protecting sensitive sectors and ensuring fair treatment for services and professionals.

Prelims Angle

• Challenges often asked as "factors affecting bilateral ties": migration, security, historical issues, and trade sensitivities.
• Post-Brexit: UK pursues new FTAs; India weighs opportunities with safeguards.

Mains Angle

• Present challenges as manageable through institutions: 2+2, foreign office consultations, cyber/CT dialogues, and predictable trade rules.
• Balance rights and responsibilities in diaspora-related issues: free speech vs violence/intimidation; Vienna Convention obligations for mission security.

Recent Developments (2024-2026)

Key developments and timeline (exam-ready)

• January 2024: High-level defence engagement in the UK, including defence industry interactions and focus on co-development areas (engines, missiles, maritime systems).
• July 2024: Launch of the UK-India Technology Security Initiative to deepen cooperation on critical and emerging technologies.
• October 2024: CHOGM 2024 held in Samoa; climate and small-state priorities gain attention within Commonwealth cooperation.
• December 2024: Second India-UK 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue held in New Delhi.
• November 2024: UK signals intent to restart trade talks with India after pauses linked to election calendars, aiming for a broader strategic partnership.
• June 2025: Foreign Office Consultations and a Strategic Exports & Technology Cooperation Dialogue reviewed progress; both sides welcomed conclusion of the trade agreement and related arrangements.
• July 2025: India-UK CETA signed; both sides emphasised a target to double trade by 2030.
• October 2025: UK Prime Minister's India visit focused on faster implementation of the trade deal, new investments, and defence-industrial collaboration; announcements included cooperation in AI, connectivity/innovation, and critical minerals ecosystems.
• November 2025: New edition of Ajeya Warrior held, reflecting sustained military interoperability efforts.
• December 2025–January 2026: Updated trade and investment reporting and continued focus on implementation pathways for signed agreements.

Prelims Angle

• TSI launched in July 2024; CETA signed in July 2025.
• 2+2 dialogue: 2023 (first), 2024 (second).

Mains Angle

• Use recent developments to show "institutionalisation + diversification": trade + defence + technology + education.
• Highlight the shift from negotiation to implementation: trade agreements matter most when domestic reforms and standards enable real market access.

Way Forward

1) Make implementation deliver tangible outcomes

After signing a major trade agreement, the focus should shift to implementation capacity: regulatory coordination, standards alignment, customs facilitation, and business awareness—especially for MSMEs. Without these, FTA gains remain theoretical.

2) Build a "trusted technology corridor"

Using the Roadmap and TSI, India and the UK can deepen cooperation in future telecom, AI, critical minerals, and semiconductors through joint testbeds, innovation pilots, and skill pipelines. India should prioritise arrangements that strengthen domestic manufacturing and R&D while maintaining data sovereignty and security.

3) Strengthen mobility through structured pathways

Mobility debates should be addressed through predictable, rule-based routes: youth schemes, academic recognition, short-term professional transfers, and mutual recognition pathways for select professions. This reduces political friction while supporting skills and services trade.

4) Deepen Indo-Pacific and maritime cooperation

Maritime domain awareness, anti-piracy coordination, and interoperability through exercises support shared Indo-Pacific interests. Defence industrial collaboration should focus on carefully chosen co-development areas with clear IP and supply-chain arrangements.

Prelims Angle

• Way forward keywords: implementation, standards, MSMEs, technology testbeds, structured mobility, Indo-Pacific maritime cooperation.

Mains Angle

• Propose a balanced strategy: economic integration + security cooperation + diaspora diplomacy, while managing historical sensitivities.
• Link to India's broader goals: Viksit Bharat, Atmanirbhar Bharat, resilient supply chains, clean energy transition.

UPSC Previous Year Questions

Prelims-Focused Quick Revision Points

• Roadmap 2030: launched 2021; five pillars—People, Trade, Defence, Climate, Health.
• Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: umbrella framing for multi-sector cooperation.
• FTA/CETA: negotiations launched 2022; concluded May 2025; signed July 2025; implementation follows domestic/legislative processes.
• 2+2 Dialogue: India-UK Foreign and Defence (senior official level); first 2023; second 2024.
• TSI (Technology Security Initiative): launched July 2024; focus on telecoms, AI, quantum, semiconductors, critical minerals, advanced materials, biotech/health-tech.
• Key exercises: Konkan (Navy), Ajeya Warrior (Army), Indradhanush (Air Force).
• Five Eyes: US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand.
• Commonwealth: voluntary association of 56 states; CHOGM 2024 in Samoa.
• UKIERI: education and research initiative since 2006; major platform for academic links.
• Young Professionals Scheme: structured youth mobility; time-bound work-and-stay route.

Mains Practice Questions

• "Roadmap 2030 has transformed India-UK relations from event-driven diplomacy to process-driven cooperation." Discuss with examples.
• Examine how the India-UK trade agreement can reshape India's export profile. What sectoral opportunities and adjustment challenges may arise?
• Discuss the role of the Indian diaspora in strengthening India-UK relations. How can India leverage the 'Living Bridge' while managing associated challenges?
• Assess the significance of the India-UK 2+2 Dialogue in the evolving Indo-Pacific security architecture.
• How does the UK-India Technology Security Initiative change the nature of bilateral cooperation? Discuss opportunities in critical minerals and future telecom.
• Evaluate the relevance of the Commonwealth for India's contemporary foreign policy. What are the practical gains and limitations?
• "Mobility is both a connector and a friction point in India-UK relations." Analyse and suggest a balanced approach.
• Write a note on India-UK clean energy cooperation and its relevance for India's climate commitments and green industrial policy.

Prelims MCQs

Q1. The India-UK Roadmap 2030 primarily organises cooperation under which of the following pillars?

• (a) Agriculture, Space, Culture, Nuclear, Tourism
• (b) People-to-people, Trade & Prosperity, Defence & Security, Climate, Health
• (c) Arctic cooperation, Antarctic treaty, Blue economy, WTO reform, Space mining
• (d) Banking, Currency swap, Tax treaty, Shipping, Fisheries

Answer: (b)

Q2. The India-UK "2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue" refers to:

• (a) A dialogue between the two Parliaments on trade and taxation
• (b) A meeting mechanism combining foreign policy and defence cooperation discussions
• (c) A climate finance dialogue between central banks
• (d) A Commonwealth-only defence forum

Answer: (b)

Q3. The UK is a member of the "Five Eyes" grouping. Which of the following countries is not a member?

• (a) Canada
• (b) New Zealand
• (c) France
• (d) Australia

Answer: (c)

Q4. CHOGM 2024 (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) was held in:

• (a) Kigali
• (b) Apia, Samoa
• (c) London
• (d) New Delhi

Answer: (b)

Q5. Which of the following best describes the India Young Professionals Scheme (UK)?

• (a) Permanent residency route for all Indian graduates in the UK
• (b) A time-bound work-and-stay route for selected young Indian citizens, generally through a ballot/selection process
• (c) A Commonwealth passport programme
• (d) A defence recruitment programme for overseas citizens

Answer: (b)