Neither Partnership Nor Dependence: Pre-Decolonisation, Inertia, Diversification and Para-Protectionism in Indo-British Relations Since 1947*

Since Independence in 1947, many Indo-British relationships continued along paths of disengagement commenced long before. In 1947–57, India and Britain became slightly less important to each other in trade, finance, education and defence: but not much faster than in 1880–1947. After 1957, the process accelerated sharply as post-colonial inertia broke down; the breakdown acquired its own momentum (i.e. powerful interests were vested in continued breakdown) ; and, by 1970–75, Britain and India had weaker links than made sense given the interests of elites or masses ¹ in either country. Section II summarises the process. ²