Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, who was on a visit to London last week, met the UK Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Sir Philip Barton for the annual UK-India Strategic Dialogue and reviewed the progress made on the UK-India 2030 Roadmap.
After their meeting, the FCDO said the two leaders reviewed the progress made on the UK-India 2030 Roadmap since the last strategic dialogue in January 2023 and looked ahead to the next phase of bilateral cooperation.
The FCDO said: “The two reflected on good progress on the 2030 Roadmap since the last review, noting key areas where the UK and India have worked together to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges.
“This included collaborating on the world’s first malaria vaccine, working closely on India’s successful G20 Presidency and increasing opportunities for students and entrepreneurs under the Migration and Mobility Partnership. Alongside celebrating the milestones since the last review, this year’s dialogue included the ongoing commitment to negotiate a mutually beneficial free trade agreement (FTA) and enhance defence cooperation.”
The 2030 Roadmap was signed between India and the UK in 2021 and includes commitments to deepen cooperation on health, climate, trade, education, science and technology, and defence by 2030.
The senior Indian official also met Lord Tariq Ahmad, FCDO Minister for South Asia, during which they took stock of the UK-India FTA, migration issues and the Commonwealth,
Lord Ahmad said: “We are delighted to host Indian Foreign Secretary Kwatra in London to underline the UK’s commitment to deepening cooperation with India. I look forward to our relationship going from strength to strength, working together on trade, defence, climate, and health.”
The thirteenth round of negotiations for the UK-India FTA was held from September 18 to December 15 last year, according to the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The negotiations included sessions both in person, in London and Delhi, and virtual talks. The fourteenth round of negotiations remain ongoing and are likely to gain momentum following the Indian general election results, which are to be declared on June 4.
*Info: UK-India 2030 Roadmap
MORE LIKE THIS…