New Delhi, July 24 (FN Agency) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met visiting UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy during which he welcomed the bilateral Technology Security Initiative and the desire to conclude a mutually beneficial FTA. In a post on X, PM Modi also appreciated the priority accorded by new UK PM Keir Starmer to deepen the strategic partnership with India. “A pleasure to meet UK FS @DavidLammy. Appreciate the priority accorded by PM @Keir_Starmer to broaden and deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. “Remain committed to elevating the ties. Welcome the bilateral Technology Security Initiative and the desire to conclude a mutually beneficial FTA.” Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar welcomed UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on his first visit to India after taking over the post earlier this month. In a post on X, the EAM said: “Welcome @DavidLammy on his first visit to India as UK Foreign Secretary.
“Looking forward to our conversation.” A UK High Commission statement said that the UK FS “will hold high level meetings with the Indian Government as well as climate and business leaders” during his visit. “Economic, domestic and global security will be at the heart the Foreign Secretary’s first visit to India as he travels to New Delhi today to unlock the full potential of the UK-India partnership. “On the visit, the Foreign Secretary will push for a reset of the UK-India partnership including through reinforcing the UK’s commitment to securing a Free Trade Agreement that will benefit both economies. “He will tell his Indian counterpart that he wants to drive forward greater growth for both countries.
Ahead of his visit to India, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “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.“ “Our Free Trade Agreement negotiations is the floor not the ceiling of our ambitions to unlock our shared potential and deliver growth, from Bengaluru to Birmingham. “We have shared interests on the green transition, new technologies, economic security and global security. “I am traveling 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.”