As UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday morning, for his first official visit, reset of economic ties, along with domestic and global security, will be his agenda.
Lammy will hold a discussion with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and is likely to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and meet National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. On Thursday morning, he will leave for Vientiane for ASEAN Framework Foreign Minister Meet.
“I am travelling to India in my first month as Foreign Secretary because resetting our relationship with the Global South is key part of how this government will reconnect Britain for our security and prosperity at home,” said Lammy.Lammy will hold a discussion with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and is likely to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and meet National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal
He is expected to put reviving India – U.K Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks for an early conclusion on top of his agenda. Most of the discussion was completed during former UK PM Rishi Sunak’s tenure. The India-UK talks for free trade agreement began in January 2022, but the 14th round of talks was stalled as the two nations stepped into their general election cycles.
Lammy 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. We have shared interest on the green transition, new technologies, economic security and global security.”
According to the FCDO Statement, the Foreign Secretary will underscore the importance of the “living bridge” between the UK and India. It represents the 1.7 million people with Indian heritage who have made their home in the UK.
India is expected to discuss its concerns about anti-Indian, pro-Khalistani groups operating from British soil. The Indian side is also expected to raise the issue of long-pending extradition cases against businessmen Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya.
According to FCDO, the Foreign Secretary will meet business leaders to highlight how the UK and India are working together on shared ambitions such as cutting-edge science to encourage innovation, boost trade, and improve the livelihoods of working people in both countries.
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