TL;DR
Liz Truss views India as a crucial democratic partner set for a significant leadership role in future global structures.
Key Points
As International Trade Secretary, she actively pursued the conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India.
In September 2022, she spoke with the Indian Prime Minister and acknowledged the vital importance of the UK-India relationship.
She has drawn a clear distinction between India, as a democracy, and China regarding shared values like the rule of law.
Summary
Liz Truss has consistently positioned the United Kingdom-India relationship as vital, particularly in the context of shifting global geopolitics and the rising influence of China. As International Trade Secretary, she called India a "huge, major opportunity" and actively pushed for the completion of a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations, aiming to secure a deal by Diwali during her tenure. She viewed the UK and India as occupying a "sweet spot" for trade dynamics and emphasized tightening security and defense cooperation, urging India to choose the UK over Russia in defense matters.
Since leaving office, she has continued to articulate a positive outlook, stressing that India, as the world’s largest democracy, must be a key component of alternative global arrangements like the Quad and G7. She differentiates India from China based on its commitment to democracy and the rule of law, viewing New Delhi as essential for countering authoritarian regimes. Truss expressed hope that the FTA would be concluded, acknowledging both nations would need to make concessions, and noted that the re-election of the Indian Prime Minister was a testament to the country's positive direction.
Key Quotes
"I think India's role in the Quad is very important with respect to the US, Australia, and Japan, particularly as we see the rising threat of China taking place,"
"We think there is strong possibility for us to get an early agreement, where we lower tariffs on both sides and start to see more goods flowing between our two countries,"
"Yes, we are working on this high ambition free trade deal that would put the UK at the front of the queue to supply India's growing middle class,"
Frequently Asked Questions
Liz Truss strongly favored the conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement between the UK and India. She expressed hope that the deal would be finalized, stating that both nations stand to benefit significantly across sectors like technology, defense, and agriculture. She acknowledged that securing the deal would require both sides to make concessions.
Yes, Liz Truss views India as essential for future global structures, advocating for a key leadership role. She sees India as vital in alternative groupings like the Quad and G7, particularly against the rising threat posed by China. She believes India's democratic values distinguish it from authoritarian regimes.
No public evidence suggests Liz Truss has spoken negatively about India or its people. In fact, she has consistently praised the relationship, describing India as a major opportunity and recognizing the achievement of the Indian Prime Minister's re-election, which she attributed to positive economic reforms.
Sources4
Prime Minister Liz Truss's call with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi: 10 September 2022
HTLS 2024: Ex-British PM Liz Truss says India to have huge leadership role
Liz Truss and India
Quote mocking India falsely attributed to former UK prime minister Liz Truss
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.