Sir , Permanent Under-Secretary
at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is
in India to review progress across the UK and India's
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He met India's Foreign
Secretary, Shri Vikram Misri, in New Delhi today [3 June] for the
annual UK-India Foreign Office Consultations.
They welcomed the significant breakthroughs achieved across the
full breadth of the partnership since consultations in London
last year, including the announcement of the historic trade deal.
Economic growth is the number one mission of the UK Government.
Both agreed to work towards implementing the shared vision of the
two prime ministers for an ambitious partnership between the UK
and India over the next decade.
This year's consultations included the inaugural Strategic
Exports and Technology Cooperation Dialogue, aimed at building
mutual understanding of systems and agreeing areas for future
cooperation on key sectors such as technology and defence.
Sir , Permanent Under-Secretary
at the FCDO, said:
I'm delighted to be in India to help advance one of the UK's most
vital partnerships in the world. In a more complex world, there
is strong ambition from both governments to take this partnership
to even greater heights. I'm looking forward to working with
Foreign Secretary Misri to make that a reality.
During the visit, Sir Oliver is also expected to meet a wide
range of Indian government partners including on the G20 and home
affairs.
Further information:
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Sir was appointed Permanent
Under-Secretary (PUS) at the Foreign, Commonwealth &
Development Office (FCDO) in January 2025. As PUS, he is Head
of the UK's Diplomatic Service and the most senior policy
adviser to the Foreign Secretary. The PUS is responsible for
the management of the FCDO in the UK and its embassies and
high commissions around the world.
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The UK and India agreed a landmark
trade deal on 6 May, which will redefine the partnership
for the next generation, strengthening trade links,
supporting jobs, and delivering shared prosperity. The deal
is expected to increase bilateral trade already worth £43
billion by another £25.5 billion.
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The UK's Plan for Change sets out
milestones the UK Government aims to reach by the end of this
Parliament.
