Jaishankar, UK’s Lammy discuss free trade agreement, tech

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his UK counterpart, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, held wide-ranging talks in London on Wednesday, covering strategic coordination, trade negotiations and next-generation technology.

After the meeting, Jaishankar posted on X: “Held wide-ranging and productive talks with David Lammy. We discussed the entire gamut of bilateral ties, especially our focus on strategic coordination, political cooperation, trade deal negotiation, education, technology, mobility and people-to-people exchanges.” He added that both sides agreed to outline the next steps to further strengthen and structure their engagement.

Jaishankar and Lammy also exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict, West Asia and Bangladesh.

Lammy described the discussions as part of a “new era” in UK-India relations. “From FTA (free trade agreement) negotiations last week to discussions on growth, security and foreign policy today, our partnership makes our people safer and more prosperous,” he said.

The two sides are also exploring collaboration in key sectors, including artificial intelligence, telecom and critical minerals. The UK also welcomed the opening of two new Indian consulates in Belfast and Manchester.

Additionally, the UK acknowledged Indian investment deals worth over £100 million, which are expected to create jobs, drive growth and boost household incomes.

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) quoted Lammy as saying, “Jaishankar and I are supercharging our £41 billion trading relationship with India, after trade talks were relaunched in Delhi. It is the floor, not the ceiling, of our ambitions that will benefit both our economies.”

On Tuesday, Jaishankar called on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss strengthening bilateral economic cooperation and enhancing people-to-people exchanges. Starmer also shared the UK’s perspective on the Ukraine conflict.

Jaishankar also met Trade and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds to discuss the India-UK free trade agreement, he said in a post on X.