UK Foreign Secretary's Visit Signals Strengthening UK-India Ties

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy's visit to India underscores the new UK's Labour government's intent to bolster bilateral ties. Emphasized areas include economic prosperity, security, and technology. A UK-India Technology Security Initiative was also unveiled, highlighting mutual cooperation.

The visit of United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary David Lammy delivers a 'loud and clear' message that the newly elected government aims to strengthen the partnership between the two nations, announced the UK India Business Council on Thursday. Lammy arrived in the national capital on Wednesday morning, marking the start of his official visit.

'United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary David Lammy's visit to India signals that the new UK government, which took power on July 4, is committed to enhancing the partnership between the nations across economic prosperity, domestic security, and global security,' stated the council. They further noted the positive sentiment from the UK government towards India, highlighting the Labour Party Manifesto's pledge to pursue a 'new strategic partnership' with India focusing on security, technology, climate change, and education.

Richard McCallum, Group Chief Executive Officer of the UK India Business Council, pointed out future collaboration areas, stating, 'India is the most exciting economic story globally today, and the UK can significantly contribute to India's journey to becoming a developed nation by 2047. This collaboration will reciprocally generate growth, jobs, and investments in the UK. We are optimistic about concluding the FTA negotiations swiftly, as this aligns with our members' aspirations.'

The two countries are keen on actualizing the India-UK trade deal, which was anticipated to be finalized under the new government. Throughout his visit, Lammy unveiled the UK-India Technology Security Initiative, marking a pivotal step towards enhancing bilateral cooperation in semiconductor technology.

As part of his visit, the UK Foreign Secretary met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Lammy shared his experience through a post on X, expressing gratitude for the warm welcome and reaffirming the indispensable nature of the UK-India relationship. He emphasized the announcement of the UK-India Technology Security Initiative as a significant move to boost investment, create jobs, and address future challenges.

(With inputs from agencies.)