PM Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Boris Johnson met at Delhi's Hyderabad House on Friday. The two of them witnessed an exchange of agreements between India and the United Kingdom.
In their wide-ranging talks, Modi and Johnson vowed to give fresh momentum to overall ties and reviewed the progress made in the implementation of the Roadmap 2030 that listed ambitious targets for deeper collaborations in diverse sectors.
Modi commented that Johnson's visit during 'Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' is historic. Johnson, on day one of his two-day visit, visited the Sabarmati Ashram, met with industrialist Gautam Adani and visited the JCB plant in Halol, near Vadodara.
The duo held talks on bolstering a close partnership between India and the UK and stepping up security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. They also talked of strengthening UK and India's strategic defence, diplomatic and economic partnership.
“We expressed our commitment to fulfilling promises made during the last COP 26. We invite the UK to join India's National Hydrogen Mission...We stressed on a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region,” PM Modi said at the press conference in the capital.
The British PM Johnson said, “We have had wonderful talks today and have strengthened our relationship in every way. The partnership between India and Britain is one of the defining friendships of our times.”
Modi also mentioned the conflict in Ukraine. He said, “We stressed on dialogue and diplomacy in Ukraine for an immediate ceasefire and resolution of the problem. We also reiterated the importance of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries."
“Last year we, (India-UK) launched a comprehensive strategic partnership. Work on FTA is underway. Talks were held on the defence sector, trade, climate and energy. Talks also hold on free, open and rule-based Indo-pacific region,” Modi said. "The UK's partnership with India is a beacon in stormy seas as the world faces growing threats from autocratic states which seek to undermine democracy, choke off fair trade and trample on sovereignty," Johnson said.
We are telling our negotiators to get it done by Diwali in October, Johnson said on the FTA.
The India-UK relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the India-UK virtual summit held between Modi and Johnson in May last year.
At the summit, the two sides adopted a 10-year-roadmap to expand ties in key areas of trade and economy, defence and security, climate change and people-to-people connections among others.
-- With PTI inputs
