Foreign secretary David Lammy started a two-day visit to India on Wednesday to push forward negotiations for the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and to explore opportunities for cooperation in areas like clean energy, new technologies, and security.
This visit marks the first high-level engagement between India and the UK since Keir Starmer's Labour government took office on 5 July.
"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 added.
A government statement said Lammy will push for a "reset" of the UK-India partnership, reinforcing London's commitment to securing an FTA that will benefit both economies.
The statement also mentioned that the foreign secretary will seek support for accelerated action on the climate crisis, with India as a key partner, to drive forward the clean energy transition and create opportunities for British and Indian businesses. It noted that he will discuss partnering on Indian-led global initiatives to build clean power access and climate resilience in the global south and small island states.
"We have shared interests in the green transition, new technologies, economic security, and global security," Lammy was quoted as saying. "I am travelling to India in my first month as foreign secretary because resetting our relationship with the Global South is a key part of how this government will reconnect Britain for our security and prosperity at home."
Lammy and India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar are set to hold wide-ranging talks this evening, expected to focus on the FTA and New Delhi's concerns over pro-Khalistan elements in Britain.
The British statement said Lammy will emphasise the importance of a new partnership with India focusing on economic, domestic, and global security. Economic, domestic, and global security will be central to his visit as he aims to unlock the full potential of the UK-India partnership. He will express his desire to drive forward greater growth for both countries.
The foreign secretary will also highlight the significance of the "Living Bridge" between the UK and India, which includes the 1.7 million people of Indian heritage in the UK who make significant contributions to British life.
"In a visit to India's third largest technology company, the foreign secretary will meet business leaders to highlight how the UK and India are working together on shared ambitions such as cutting-edge science to encourage innovation, boost trade, and improve the livelihoods of working people in both countries," the statement said.
Dharavi slum in Mumbai
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)