Cameron and Jaishankar discuss the progress of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with his British counterpart David Cameron to discuss various areas of partnership between the two countries. The topics of discussion included progress on a Free Trade Agreement, as well as collaborations in the fields of defence, science, and technology. The leaders also took note of the strong relationship between the UK and India and reviewed the progress made towards achieving the goals laid out in the UK-India 2030 Roadmap, according to the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
"The Foreign Secretary and Jaishankar also discussed progressing a free trade agreement and partnerships on defence, science and technology", it said. The duo also discussed shared global challenges, including the situation in Israel and Gaza and the war between Russia and Ukraine. "They discussed shared global challenges, including the concerning situation in Israel and Gaza and Russia's illegal war in Ukraine. In the meeting, they also covered the importance of the Indo-Pacific region to global growth and prosperity," the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said in a statement.
India and the UK are in the process of negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The talks for FTA between the two countries began in 2022, and as of August 2021, the 12th round of negotiations had taken place. In 2021, the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was launched, along with the India-UK Roadmap 2030, by the Ministry of External Affairs. The Roadmap represents a commitment to a mutually beneficial partnership between the two countries.
Meanwhile, Jaishankar said that he congratulated David Cameron on his appointment as UK Foreign Secretary. Jaishankar stated that he looked forward to working with Cameron closely. Jaishankar stated on X, "A pleasure to meet UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron this afternoon on his first day in office. Congratulated him on his appointment. Held a detailed discussion on realizing the full potential of our strategic partnership. Also exchanged views on the situation in West Asia, the Ukraine conflict and the Indo-Pacific. Look forward to working with him closely".
The UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has carried out a cabinet reshuffle, appointing David Cameron as the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, according to Downing Street. This follows the sacking of the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman. Jaishankar, who is currently on a five-day visit to the UK, visited Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, at 10 Downing Street, and conveyed the best wishes of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Diwali. Jaishankar, along with his wife Kyoko Jaishankar, also met with the UK Prime Minister and presented him with a Lord Ganesha statue and a cricket bat signed by Indian batting great Virat Kohli.
