New Delhi: India remains committed to elevating its ties with the UK and welcomes the desire to conclude a mutually beneficial free trade pact, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after meeting visiting British Foreign Secretary David Lammy this week.
Lammy's two-day visit to New Delhi -- the first high-level engagement since the Labour government took charge on July 5 -- comes as both countries hope to unlock the full potential of their growing partnership in diverse fields, which includes finalizing the Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
"A pleasure to meet UK FS (Foreign Secretary) David Lammy. Appreciate the priority accorded by PM Keir Starmer to broaden and deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," PM Modi said as he met Lammy in the national capital. "Remain committed to elevating the ties. Welcome the bilateral Technology Security Initiative and the desire to conclude a mutually beneficial FTA," he added.
Lammy also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar who highlighted the immense potential of the India-UK relationship during the discussion with the former. Speaking of their "productive" and "engaging discussions", Jaishankar also exchanged perspectives on regional and global issues and cooperation in multilateral forums.
"Noted the immense potential to take forward the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, building on close links in trade & economy, defense & security, education, IT, digital, space & high tech, culture, mobility and people to people ties," Jaishankar wrote on X.
As he embarked on the high-profile trip, Lammy described India as the "emerging superpower of the 21st century, the largest country in the world with 1.4 billion people and one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Speaking of the FTA, he said, "Our Free Trade Agreement negotiations is the floor not the ceiling of our ambitions to unlock our shared potential and deliver growth, from Bengaluru to Birmingham".
He also underscored the importance of the Living Bridge between the UK and India, highlighting that it represents the 1.7 million people with Indian heritage who have made their home in the UK and make an exceptional contribution to British life.
UK-India Tech Security Initiative launchedBritish Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced a new UK-India Technology Security Initiative during his first visit to India. According to the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the security initiative has been agreed upon following negotiations between both countries to expand collaboration in critical and emerging technologies across priority sectors. It will set out a “bold new approach” for how the UK and India work together on defining technologies across telecoms, critical minerals, AI, quantum, health/biotech, advanced materials, and semiconductors. |
