EAM Jaishankar Has Bilateral Discussions with UK PM Keir Starmer in London

By siliconindia  |  Wednesday, 05 March 2025, 09:14:37 AM IST

EAM Jaishankar Has Bilateral Discussions with UK PM Keir Starmer in London
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar called on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street in London and delivered warm wishes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders discussed the intensification of bilateral cooperation, economic relations, and the UK's view on the Russia-Ukraine war.
"Talked about carrying forward our bilateral, economic ties and increasing people-to-people contacts. PM Starmer also expressed the UK's view on the Ukraine situation", Jaishankar tweeted.
The meeting was on the sidelines of Jaishankar's six-day trip to the UK and Ireland, to deepen diplomatic ties. Earlier during the day, he had a round of ministerial talks, including with UK Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds. The ministers discussed the negotiation of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), aimed at strengthening the GBP 41-billion annual bilateral trade partnership.
"Saw progress on our FTA negotiations", Jaishankar said after the meeting, alluding to the discussions that were resumed during Reynolds' trip to Delhi last month.
Jaishankar also sat down with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss people-to-people relations and cooperation in countering extremism and trafficking. "We discussed talent flow, people-to-people ties, and cooperation in countering trafficking and extremism", he said.
As per a pre-visit statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the visit of EAM would lend fresh momentum to India's cordial relations with the UK and Ireland. Both the countries have a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in areas such as defence, security, health, education, and cultural exchanges.
Jaishankar will hold top-level talks with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and other officials on Wednesday. His behind-closed-doors meeting will focus on foreign policy and security matters, with the UK hoping to play a diplomatic role in ending the Russia-Ukraine war. He will have an in-conversation event at Chatham House in the evening on India's emergence on the global stage.
The EAM's schedule includes a trip to Dublin on Thursday, where he will meet Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris and engage with the Indian community. The MEA emphasized the warm bilateral relations between India and Ireland, based on common democratic values and increasing economic engagements.
Jaishankar returns to the UK on Friday to open the new Consulate General of India in Belfast, Northern Ireland. On Saturday, he will proceed to Manchester to open another consulate in the northern English city, with UK Foreign Office Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West.
The trip will be concluded with a diaspora function at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester on International Women's Day on March 8. The function is likely to commemorate the UK-Indian community's contributions and give prominence to the changing India-UK partnership.
Jaishankar's visit reflects the deepening relationship between India and the UK, strengthening strategic ties and creating new opportunities for joint growth and collaboration.

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