Mr. David Lammy MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, United Kingdom, visited India on 24 July 2024. The visit came at the behest of an invitation by Dr. S. Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister of India. This was Mr. David’s first visit to India as a UK Foreign Secretary. During his official visit, he met with honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and called on Shri Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor (NSA).
Dr. Jaishankar and Mr. David reviewed the Roadmap 2030 agreed upon by the respective Prime Ministers during the India-UK Virtual Summit 2021. Both ministers expressed satisfaction at the progress so far and reaffirmed their commitment to a timely renewal of the Roadmap to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries. Both sides decided to finalise the details promptly in keeping with the priority areas in bilateral collaboration. These include trade and investment, migration and mobility, defence and security, IT/AI/Tech-centric areas, Science and technology, climate and green energy, and innovation.
The NSAs of both countries spearheaded the launch of the comprehensive UK–India Technology Security Initiative (TSI) to expand cooperation in critical and emerging technologies (CET). The TSI covers a wide range of priority sectors in this collaboration, including telecom, semiconductors, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, biotech and advanced materials, and quantum. Government, academia, private sector, and R&D Institutions will collaborate under the TSI, ensuring a broad and deep strategic partnership between the research and technology incubators and centres. The vision to build a joint academic and industrial ecosystem would increase the quality and volume of cooperation. Both sides decided to hold a global tech governance dialogue to include internet governance issues and promote multi-linguism through IDNs (Internationalized Domain Names). India and the UK would also expand bilateral initiatives between relevant collaborators. After the meeting, a factsheet that provided relevant information on further collaboration was published.
The Ministry of External Affairs and the UK Government have decided to set up a bilateral mechanism to promote critical and emerging technology trade and collaboration, including regulatory and licensing issues. Both sides reviewed the progress in the UK-India FTA and anticipated its early conclusion for a mutually beneficial FTA.
Both sides agreed to strengthen defence and security cooperation, especially in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, to minimise threats from non-state actors.
Both sides agreed to seek more cooperation in the climate and green economy. Dr. Jaishankar and Mr. David also reviewed the Migration and Mobility Partnership between India and the UK to improve people-to-people ties. Both ministers also discussed global and regional issues of mutual interest, including West Asia, the Red Sea, the Commonwealth, and the UN Security Council.
Dr. David met with PM Shri Narendra Modi and discussed various issues. PM Modi acknowledged the UK’s efforts and noted, “Remain committed to elevating the ties. Welcome the bilateral Technology Security Initiative and the desire to conclude a mutually beneficial FTA.” On his part, Dr. David responded, “The UK and India share a unique living bridge that enriches both our countries. We are working together to accelerate climate action while creating opportunities for British and Indian businesses.”
This significant visit within a month of the election in the UK indicates its commitment to maintaining the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with India.
