UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday. The two-day visit marked the first high-level discussions between the two nations since the Keir Starmer-led Labour Government took office in the UK.
In a social media post, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal extended a warm welcome to Lammy, stressing on the visit’s role in strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Bharat and the UK. “This visit will reinforce the ‘living bridge’ between our nations,” Jaiswal stated.
Economic, domestic, and global security issues will be central to Lammy’s visit. According to the British High Commission, the Secretary aims to reset the UK-India partnership, with a key focus on advancing negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that promises mutual economic benefits.
Lammy expressed his enthusiasm for driving growth in both countries, noting Bharat’s status as a major global economic force. “Bharat, with its 1.4 billion people and rapid economic growth, is crucial to our shared ambitions. The FTA negotiations are just the beginning; our goal is to unlock further potential from Bengaluru to Birmingham,” he remarked.
During his visit, Lammy will accentuate the significance of the Living Bridge — the 1.7 million people of Indian heritage residing in the UK who greatly contribute to British society. He will meet with business leaders from Bharat’s third largest technology company to discuss collaborative efforts in cutting-edge science, innovation, and trade.
High-level talks with Bharat’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will cover a broad spectrum of bilateral issues and global developments, underlining the importance of the evolving partnership between the UK and Bharat.
