UK Foreign Secretary meets PM Modi, discusses FTA

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday during his two-day visit to India.

“A pleasure to meet UK FS David Lammy. Appreciate the priority given by the Prime Minister Keir Starmer “We want to broaden and deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership. We remain committed to strengthening ties. We welcome the bilateral initiative on technological security and the desire to conclude a mutually beneficial free trade agreement,” Prime Minister Modi said on X.

A pleasure to meet UK FS @DavidLammy. Appreciate the priority given by the Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer to broaden and deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership. Remain committed to strengthening ties. Welcome the bilateral Initiative on Technology Security and the desire to conclude a pic.twitter.com/7bGWZuJlOk

-Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2024

Lammy-Jaishankar meeting

Before meeting the Indian Prime Minister, Lammy also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi.

To welcome @DavidLammy on his first visit to India as UK Foreign Secretary.

Looking forward to chatting with you.

pic.twitter.com/GHMSGdg4lR

—Dr. S.Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 24, 2024

In his bilateral meeting with Jaishankar, Lammy said: “It is wonderful to be back in India, in your company. Let me say that I am here with the blessings and good wishes of my leader and Prime Minister Keir Starmer.”

He added: “I also applaud the leadership that India has shown in addressing the climate emergency and the race for clean energy. It is extraordinary what has been achieved in such a short time.”

#WATCH | Delhi: During the meeting with EAM's Dr S Jaishankar, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “…It is wonderful to be back in India, in your company. Let me say that I am here with the blessings and good wishes of my leader and Prime Minister Keir Starmer… There are so many pic.twitter.com/pc9WZjqQxL

-ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2024

“I believe our relationship is very important and has enormous possibilities,” Jaishankar said. “How we explore these possibilities and harness our potential in a more meaningful way is one of the tasks I look forward to undertaking with you.”

#WATCH | Delhi: During his meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Dr S Jaishankar, EAM, said, “I am delighted to welcome you to India on your first official visit in this capacity… I believe our relationship is very important and there are enormous opportunities ahead of us. pic.twitter.com/7mqkFM7GKv

-ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2024

What did FS Lammy do on his first day?

Dammy's visit to India comes after his party, led by new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, won elections earlier this month.

The first day of his trip was eventful as the External Affairs Minister was hosted by IT services firm HCL Technologies (HCLTech) at its Noida campus.

Lammy met with HCLTech President Roshni Nadar Malhotra and toured one of the campus' innovation labs.

After this, he met Prime Minister Modi and Jaishankar in the national capital.

“The India-UK FTA negotiations are the floor, not the ceiling, of our ambitions”

Lammy described the Free Trade Agreement negotiations as the floor, not the ceiling, of ambitions to unlock shared potential and deliver growth.

“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,” Lammy said.

“Our free trade agreement negotiations are the floor, not the ceiling, of our ambitions to unlock our shared potential and deliver growth from Bengaluru to Birmingham,” he said.

A British government statement said Lammy would push for a “reset” of the UK-India partnership, including by reinforcing London's commitment to a free trade deal that would benefit both economies.

He said the Foreign Secretary will also 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.

With contributions from PTI