(FE)
India and the United Kingdom reaffirmed their commitment to deepening economic and strategic cooperation during high-level meetings held in New Delhi. The recently concluded India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) took centre stage in the discussions between UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
After meeting visiting UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Saturday, Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s firm stance on terrorism, stating that the country follows a policy of “zero tolerance” and expects its international partners to acknowledge the clear distinction between perpetrators and victims. “We will never countenance the equivalence of the two,” Jaishankar asserted, underscoring India’s long-standing concerns over cross-border terrorism, particularly from Pakistan.
The statement gains significance as Lammy’s visit is the first by a Foreign Minister from a P-5 nation following last month’s India-Pakistan hostilities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met Lammy and highlighted the UK’s support in counterterrorism efforts. “Pleased to meet UK Foreign Secretary Mr David Lammy. Appreciate his substantive contribution to the remarkable progress in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, further strengthened by the recently concluded FTA. Value UK’s support for India’s fight against cross-border terrorism,” Modi posted.
The discussions also reaffirmed shared values on security, trade, and global cooperation, with both sides signalling intent to deepen collaboration across strategic sectors, especially in the context of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement and broader geopolitical alignment.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal described his talks with Lammy as “fruitful,” emphasising the shared desire to expand bilateral trade and collaboration across key sectors. “We both expressed our appreciation for the work done in finalising the historic India-UK FTA, which is poised to further boost our growing ties,” Goyal posted on X.
Prime Minister Modi also acknowledged Lammy’s role, stating, “I appreciate his substantive contribution to the remarkable progress in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, further strengthened by the recently concluded FTA.”
Foreign Secretary Lammy echoed the sentiment in a post on social media platform X, saying, “Building on the free trade agreement between our great countries, we will continue working together to deepen our partnership, celebrate our unique living bridge, and deliver growth and security.”
Collaboration in education and technology
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the broader implications of the FTA, noting its positive impact not only on trade and investment but also on infrastructure and strategic areas of cooperation. He expressed appreciation for the UK’s “strong condemnation” of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
Jaishankar also pointed to initiatives like the Technology Security Initiative (TSI), aimed at enhancing collaboration in critical sectors such as artificial intelligence, advanced materials, health tech, and semiconductors. He further highlighted the Strategic Exports and Technology Cooperation Dialogue, which is expected to help resolve trade-related regulatory challenges.
In the education sector, Jaishankar noted robust cooperation, adding that partnerships with UK universities are expanding significantly, creating new opportunities for students and researchers alike.
The meetings marked a significant moment in India-UK relations, underscoring the shared commitment to not just economic growth but also innovation, academic exchange, and security cooperation.
