On Monday, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was welcomed by Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ Joint Secretary (Europe West) Sandeep Chakravorty in New Delhi for his four-day visit to India. During the trip, he will convene for bilateral discussions with Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar. Further, he will conduct official discussions with Indian Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar and Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal. On December 17, he is also scheduled to travel to Bengaluru, where he will meet with the state’s Chief Minister, BS Yediyurappa.
While announcing Raab’s visit, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said that these bilateral discussions will “pave the way for further strengthening of the partnership across trade, defence, climate, migration and mobility, education, and health sectors in the post-Covid, post-Brexit context.” According to a statement by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, during his meeting with Jaishankar, the two will discuss several “bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.” They are also expected to map out a 10-year plan for the United Kingdom (UK)-India partnership, specifically on the issues of defence and security.
The UK has been India’s strategic partner since 2004. Both countries have, on several occasions, worked closely on the issue of climate change, specifically in the India-led alliance for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
This meeting comes at a time where the UK and India are looking to expand their bilateral relationship on several fronts. Consequently, India has informally invited British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day Parade on January 26, 2021. For India, the choice of Chief Guest during the Republic Day celebrations is symbolic of a growing friendship and blossoming diplomatic relations with the country. While his attendance at the event has not been confirmed due to the COVID-19 situation in both India and the UK, if he does attend, he will be the first British premier to do so since 1993.
Raab’s visit also comes at a time when the UK is participating in tough negotiations with the European Union and attempts to carve out a suitable Brexit deal for itself. With India growing closer to several members of the European Union, the Indian side is likely to use this as leverage to bolster economic ties with the UK. Moreover, Raab’s meeting with Jaishankar is also a part of the UK’s campaign to strengthen trade relations with key partners to secure its future in case of a “no-deal” Brexit.
British Foreign Secretary Begins Four-Day Trip to India
During his visit to India, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will meet with Indian EAM S. Jaishankar. The two are set to discuss "bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest."
December 15, 2020
S. Jaishankar and Dominic Raab at the ASEAN 2019 Summit in Thailand. SOURCE: ONEINDIA