Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart, Rishi Sunak, held a historic bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi under India's presidency. The meeting between the two leaders was held at the Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, the venue of the summit.
In a readout from Downing Street of the talks, Sunak’s spokesperson said: “The leaders reflected on the close and growing ties between the UK and India, exemplified in the ‘living bridge’ between our people. They agreed it was important to build on the past and focus on the future, cementing a modern partnership in cutting-edge defence technology, trade and innovation. They also discussed a number of consular issues.
“The leaders had a productive conversation about negotiations on a UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s ambition to deliver a landmark trade deal which benefits businesses and workers in both countries and grows our trade in both goods and services.
“They agreed that ministers and negotiating teams would continue to work at pace towards an FTA.”
The 13th round of UK-India FTA negotiations is to take place this month.
Talks between the two leaders followed their meeting held on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima in May this year in which they had discussed the India-UK free trade agreement, innovation, and science along with ways to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
Sunak, accompanied by wife Akshata Murty, arrived in Delhi on September 8 for his first visit to India as UK Prime Minister since he assumed the office in October last year. Prime Ministers Rishi Sunak and Modi warmly greeted each other with Namaste and shook hands, and then went on to hug each other as they posed for cameras.
Both leaders participated in Session 1 on 'One Earth' during the G20 Summit. Sunak said that the world is looking to G20 to provide leadership and that the leaders are meeting at a time of enormous challenges. He expressed confidence that the leaders will together be able to address the challenges.
PM Modi welcomed world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and others as they arrived to attend the Summit at the Bharat Mandapam venue.
At its conclusion, PM Modi announced that consensus has been built on the New Delhi G20 Leaders' Summit Declaration and announced its adoption. The Indian Prime Minister, who is chaired the G20 sessions, congratulated the Sherpas and ministers who had worked towards forging the consensus.
Modi said: "I have received good news. Due to the hard work of our team, consensus has been built on New Delhi G20 Leaders' Summit Declaration.
“My proposal is to adopt this leadership declaration. I announce to adopt this declaration. On this occasion, I congratulate my Sherpa, ministers, who worked hard for it and made it possible.”
In his opening remarks at the Summit, the Prime Minister said that the 21st century is a time that has the potential to give a new direction to the entire world.
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“It's a time when years old challenges demand new solutions from us. Therefore, we must move forward by fulfilling all our responsibilities with a Human Centric approach,” he said.
(*With ANI Inputs)
