Discuss how the India–UK Vision 2035 reshapes bilateral cooperation in technology and critical minerals.

Q. Discuss how the India–UK Vision 2035 reshapes bilateral cooperation in technology and critical minerals. (15 marks, 250 words)

Endorsed on 24 July 2025 alongside the India–UK CETA, Vision 2035 restructures a largely trade-centric relationship into a durable strategic partnership built on five pillars, elevating technology and critical minerals from peripheral items to core bilateral agendas [1].

Deepening technology and innovation cooperation - Vision 2035 makes Technology & Innovation a standalone pillar, moving beyond commerce toward co-development in emerging tech, digital systems and clean energy [1]. - It institutionalises collaboration through a technology-security track and an education and skills partnership — transnational campuses and university tie-ups building lasting R&D and talent linkages [1]. - Sits within a wider architecture — the CETA and a Defence Industrial Roadmap — embedding technology in strategic, not merely transactional, terms [1].

Securing critical mineral supply chains - Operationalised via the Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory (GSCO), launched 4 June 2026 by Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper [2]. - GSCO offers a data-driven platform for supply-risk mapping, market intelligence and foresight, de-risking inputs for EVs, solar PV and defence [2]. - It reinforces India's National Critical Mineral Mission (₹34,300 cr, seven-year outlay) and helps diversify away from single-source (China) dependence across the 30 identified critical minerals [3][4].

By pairing structured technology collaboration with mineral-supply resilience, Vision 2035 shifts India–UK ties from episodic diplomacy to a durable strategic partnership, advancing India's clean-energy transition and self-reliance goals in line with SDG-7.

(~250 words)

Sources: 1. INDIA–UK VISION 2035 (PIB, 24 July 2025) — five-pillar Vision 2035, technology pillar, CETA and education/skills partnership 2. India–UK Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory launched (PIB, 4 June 2026) — GSCO launch, participants, and data-driven supply-chain function 3. Cabinet approves National Critical Mineral Mission (PIB) — ₹34,300 cr seven-year outlay and value-chain resilience 4. Thirty Minerals Listed as Critical Minerals for India (PIB, Ministry of Mines) — list of 30 critical minerals and import-dependence context