India-UK Free Trade Agreement In Focus As British Foreign Secretary Arrives In New Delhi

United Kingdom's newly-appointed Foreign Secretary David Lammy has arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday (24 July) for a day-long visit to India.

Lammy is the first top official of the UK government to visit India after the Labour Party led by Keir Starmer swept the polls in Britain, ending 14-year Conservative rule.

The UK Foreign Secretary is set to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and will later head for the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Laos capital, Vientiane.

The discussion is likely to focus on issues including the long-pending India-UK Free Trade Agreement.

Jaishankar is also attending the Laos meeting.

Following his landslide victory in the UK elections, Starmer had spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both the leaders had agreed to work towards an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-UK free trade agreement (FTA).

The British PM, while discussing the FTA, had said he stood ready to conclude a deal “that worked for both sides”.

He had also welcomed Prime Minister Modi’s leadership on key global challenges, such as climate change and economic growth, according to the British government’s statement issued on 6 July.

Both leaders recognised the potential for deeper cooperation in areas such as defence, security, critical and emerging technologies, and climate change.

PM Modi had congratulated Starmer on his “remarkable victory” and said he looked forward to “positive and constructive collaboration” to further strengthen bilateral ties.

In late June, just days before the UK elections, Lammy conveyed the Labour Party’s intent to finalise an FTA with India during his speech at the India Global Forum’s IGF London 2024.

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