Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s dedication to bolstering bilateral ties with the United Kingdom during a meeting with UK Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs David Lammy on Wednesday. Lammy’s visit, marking the first high-level engagement by the newly elected Labour government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, underscores a renewed focus on enhancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.
In a statement shared on social media, PM Modi expressed satisfaction with the progress made in broadening and deepening the bilateral relationship. “A pleasure to meet UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Appreciate the priority accorded by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” PM Modi conveyed.
Prior to his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, Lammy engaged with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, where both affirmed their commitment to elevate bilateral relations further. Lammy highlighted initiatives such as the bilateral Technology Security Initiative and expressed mutual interest in concluding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) aimed at fostering economic growth and cooperation.
“India is the emerging superpower of the 21st century, and our negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement are just the beginning of our shared ambitions,” Lammy remarked, echoing sentiments he expressed during his campaign in the UK.
The UK Foreign Secretary’s visit is strategically focused on reinforcing the UK-India partnership across economic, domestic, and global security domains. According to a statement from the British High Commission, Lammy will also meet with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and engage with climate and business leaders to explore avenues for enhanced collaboration.
Highlighting the cultural and social ties between the UK and India, Lammy underscored the significance of the ‘Living Bridge’ – the 1.7 million strong Indian diaspora in the UK, known for their substantial contributions to British society and economy.
“Lammy will emphasize the extraordinary contribution of British Indians to enriching the UK’s social and economic fabric,” the statement from the British High Commission affirmed.
Following his engagements in India, Lammy is scheduled to attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Laos, where he aims to advance UK economic partnerships and unveil new collaborative initiatives in climate and health sectors.
The ongoing dialogue and initiatives during Lammy’s visit signify a concerted effort by both nations to strengthen their strategic partnership and unlock shared potential for mutual growth and development.
