UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy Visits India to Boost Economic and Security Partnerships

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrived in India for a two-day visit to strengthen economic and security ties between the two nations. The agenda includes discussions on a Free Trade Agreement, climate action, and the contributions of the Indian diaspora in the UK.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy landed in New Delhi on Wednesday morning, kicking off the first high-level visit by the newly-elected Labour government. The two-day tour aims to highlight a new partnership between the UK and India, focusing on economic cooperation and global security.

During his maiden visit to India, Lammy is scheduled to meet with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. Additionally, he will engage with climate and business leaders to fully unlock the potential of UK-India partnership. A key objective is to reinforce the UK's commitment to a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), fostering growth in both countries.

"India is an emerging superpower and a crucial ally for the UK," Lammy stated during his campaign. He emphasized that negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement are just the beginning of ambitions to leverage shared strengths in economics and technology. This visit aims to galvanize support for climate initiatives and create business opportunities for both nations.

Lammy highlighted the significance of the 'Living Bridge,' referring to the 1.7 million people of Indian heritage residing in the UK and their exceptional contribution to British life. His itinerary includes meetings with business leaders at India's third-largest tech company to underscore UK-India cooperation in science, trade, and innovation.

High-level talks with Indian government officials, including S. Jaishankar, will also focus on the contributions of British Indians to the UK. The British High Commission emphasized the importance of the UK-India partnership in delivering global prosperity. Following his India tour, Lammy will attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting in Laos to further UK economic and climate ties.

(With inputs from agencies.)