Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: British Foreign Secretary David Lammy commenced a significant two-day visit to India on Wednesday, aiming to invigorate negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and strengthen bilateral cooperation in critical areas like clean energy, new technologies, and security.
Lammy emphasized that the FTA negotiations are merely the beginning of the UK and India’s ambitions to realize shared potential and drive growth. “India is 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,” he stated. “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.”
This visit marks the first high-level engagement between India and the UK following the Labour government’s rise to power under Prime Minister Keir Starmer on July 5. Lammy’s trip underscores the UK’s commitment to resetting and enhancing its partnership with India.
According to a British government readout, Lammy aims to reinforce the UK-India partnership by securing a free trade agreement beneficial to both economies. He will also rally support for accelerated climate action, recognizing India as an “indispensable partner” in driving forward the clean energy transition and creating business opportunities for both nations.
Lammy highlighted the shared interests in green transitions, new technologies, economic security, and global security. “I am traveling to India in my first month as Foreign Secretary because resetting our relationship with the Global South is a key part of how this government will reconnect Britain for our security and prosperity at home,” he said.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed optimism on social media, stating that Lammy’s visit will strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and the UK. Lammy is set to engage in extensive talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, focusing on the FTA and New Delhi’s concerns about pro-Khalistan activities in Britain. Additionally, he will meet Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to reaffirm commitments to the proposed trade pact.
Negotiations have reportedly resolved nearly 90% of the trade pact, with remaining issues including import duties on automobiles and scotch whisky, and business visas. The British readout mentioned that Lammy would emphasize a new partnership with India, centering on economic, domestic, and global security.
Highlighting the significance of the “living bridge” between the UK and India, which includes 1.7 million people of Indian heritage in the UK, Lammy’s visit aims to underscore their vital contributions to British society. He will also meet business leaders from India’s third-largest technology company to promote shared ambitions in science, innovation, trade, and improved livelihoods.
Lammy’s discussions with Jaishankar are expected to review the India-UK roadmap adopted in 2021, which seeks to expand ties in areas like trade, economy, defense, security, climate change, and people-to-people connections. They will also address pressing global challenges, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the situation in the Middle East.
