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 convened for bilateral discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of External Affairs (EAM) S. Jaishankar. Further, he also conducted official discussions with Indian Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar and Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal.
On Tuesday, Raab met with the Indian EAM S. Jaishankar, wherein the two discussed the need to expand bilateral cooperation on several issues including terrorism, maritime security and privacy. During his discussion with Jaishankar, Raab discussed the main elements of a ten-year UK-India roadmap to “deliver a step-change in ambition” for the two countries’ bilateral relationship. On the same day, Raab also met with the Indian Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar. The pair discussed the importance of bolstering bilateral cooperation in combating climate change. In a joint statement released following Tuesday’s discussions with the two Indian leaders, Raab said, “We want to deepen our economic partnership – we already have a strong trade relationship. In the year before the pandemic hit, bilateral trade between India and the UK grew at a vibrant 11 per cent. Now what we want to do is to take that to another level – working towards a green and enhanced trade partnership.” He also reiterated the UK’s commitment to “stronger defence and security partnership,” specifically in the Western Indian Ocean.
Following these discussions, he called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. During this meeting, the two discussed several issues relating to the two countries’ bilateral partnership. Taking to Twitter, Modi celebrated the “vast potential” of the bilateral partnership in a “post-COVID, post-Brexit world.” The two leaders also held extensive discussions on the need for cooperation in vaccine production and distribution. According to a statement by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Raab and Modi discussion the importance of bilateral cooperation “as a force for good and launching the pioneering new vaccines hub which will share best practice for regulation and clinical trials, and foster innovation.”
Further, Raab also celebrated the partnership of Oxford University with the Serum Institute in India as an endeavour to bring together the two countries’ “brightest minds” in their combined effort to “save lives as a global force.” For the UK, partnering with India is particularly significant, as India is responsible for 25% of the British National Health Service’s generic drugs.
The British Foreign Secretary also convened a meeting with Indian Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal, wherein the two agreed to set up a committee to further mutual recognition of university degrees between India and the UK.
Raab’s visit 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.
Indian EAM Jaishankar Discusses Bolstering India-UK Ties With British Counterpart Raab
During British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab’s visit to India, he discussed expanding India and the UK’s cooperation on several issues including the COVID-19 vaccine and defence and security.
December 18, 2020
SOURCE: PIB