Economic, domestic and global security will be at the heart the
Foreign Secretary's first visit to India as he travels to New
Delhi today (24th July) to unlock the full potential
of the UK-India partnership.
On the visit, the Foreign Secretary will push for a reset of the
UK-India partnership including through reinforcing the UK's
commitment to securing a Free Trade Agreement that will benefit
both economies.
He will tell his Indian counterpart that he wants to drive
forward greater growth for both countries.
Foreign Secretary said:
“India is the emerging superpower of the 21st century, the
largest country in the world with 1.4 billion people and one of
the fastest growing economies in the world.
“Our Free Trade Agreement negotiations is the floor not the
ceiling of our ambitions to unlock our shared potential and
deliver growth, from Bengaluru to Birmingham. We have shared
interests on the green transition, new technologies, economic
security and global security.
"I am traveling to India in my first month as Foreign
Secretary because resetting our relationship with the Global
South is a key part of how this government will reconnect Britain
for our security and prosperity at home."
will galvanise support for
accelerated action on the climate crisis with India as an
indispensable partner – driving forward the clean energy
transition and creating opportunities for British and Indian
businesses. He will discuss partnering on Indian-led global
initiatives to build clean power access, climate resilience in
the global south and small island states.
The Foreign Secretary will underscore the importance of the
Living Bridge between the UK and India. It represents the 1.7
million people with Indian heritage that have made their home in
the UK and make an exceptional contribution to British life.
In a visit to India's third largest technology company, the
Foreign Secretary will meet business leaders to highlight how the
UK and India are working together on shared ambitions such as
cutting-edge science to encourage innovation, boost trade, and
improve the livelihoods of working people in both
countries.
The Foreign Secretary will also hold high-level talks with
members from the Indian government including Dr. Subrahmanyam
Jaishankar, India's External Affairs Minister. He will reiterate
the extraordinary contribution of British Indians, saying that
they enrich the UK's social and economic landscape and are the
epitome of modern Britain.
He will say that we must harness this and unlock the potential of
the new UK-India partnership, so we can deliver prosperity not
just for the people of India and the UK but for the rest of the
world.
The Foreign Secretary will travel on from India to the ASEAN
Foreign Ministers' meeting in Laos where he will advance UK
economic partnerships and unveil new cooperation on climate and
health.
