Prime Minister Modi welcomes desire to conclude a mutually beneficial India-UK Free Trade Agreement
United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited New Delhi on July 24, 2024 - his first official to India after assuming the post – with both sides expressing their commitment to further elevating the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The visit is being seen as significant, coming as it does within a month of the formation of the new government in the UK.
 
The UK Foreign Secretary called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and met with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval in addition to holding extensive discussions with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

Prime Minister Modi appreciated the priority accorded by UK PM Keir Starmer to broaden and deepen the bilateral partnership. Additionally, he reiterated the commitment to work together to elevate the bilateral relationship between the two nations.
 
PM Modi welcomed the desire to conclude a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. He also welcomed the understanding reached between the two sides to launch a Technology Security Initiative focussed on new and emerging technologies, the PMO added.
 
Foreign Secretary Lammy, on the other hand, expressed the UK’s keen desire to realize the full potential of the bilateral relationship, including in the areas of economy, investment, defence, security, critical and emerging technologies and climate change, the PMO said.
 
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Prime Minister Modi said, "A pleasure to meet UK FS @DavidLammy. Appreciate the priority accorded by PM @Keir_Starmer to broaden and deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Remain committed to elevating the ties. Welcome the bilateral Technology Security Initiative and the desire to conclude a mutually beneficial FTA".
 
India & UK Review Roadmap 2030
 
EAM Jaishankar hosted his UK counterpart for extensive discussions, focusing on the "immense potential" to take forward the India-UK partnership. 
 
"Productive and engaging discussions with UK Foreign Secretary @DavidLammy this evening. 
 
Noted the immense potential to take forward the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, building on close links in trade & economy, defense & security, education, IT, digital, space & high tech, culture, mobility and people to people ties. 
 
Welcomed the launch of the Technology Security Initiative that will open new avenues for collaboration. 
 
Also exchanged perspectives on regional and global issues and cooperation in multilateral forums," EAM Jaishankar said. 
 
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), EAM Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Lammy reviewed the Roadmap 2030 agreed between the Prime Ministers during the India-UK Virtual Summit 2021. They expressed satisfaction on the progress achieved so far and agreed to look at the renewal of the Roadmap 2030, aiming at a heightened ambition for bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
 
“Both sides agreed to finalise the details as per contemporary realities in a time bound manner to further intensify bilateral collaboration in priority areas of trade and investment, defence and security, migration and mobility, IT/AI/Tech-centric areas, S&T, Innovation, climate and green energy,” the MEA noted.
 
Both sides welcomed the launch of UK–India Technology Security Initiative (TSI), spearheaded and agreed by the National Security Advisors (NSAs) of both countries, the MEA said. The TSI aims to expand collaboration in critical and emerging technologies (CET) across priority sectors including Telecom, Critical Minerals, Semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum, Biotech and Advanced Materials. The collaboration under TSI will include Government, Private Sector, Academia and R&D Institutions.
 
During their discussions, the two sides:
 
1. Agreed to deepen defence and security cooperation, in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, and to enhance capacities to address growing threats from non-state actors.
2. Discussed India-UK collaboration in the field of Climate and Green Economy, agreeing to focus on it and look for areas of mutual cooperation.
3. Discussed the Migration and Mobility Partnership between the two countries with a view to strengthen people-to people ties.
 
During their meeting, EAM Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Lammy also had the opportunity to exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the situation in West Asia and the Red Sea, the Commonwealth and the UN Security Council, the MEA added.