UK Foreign Secretary Meets PM Modi, Vows To ‘Celebrate Unique Living Bridge Through FTA'
Last Updated:
British Foreign Secretary is on a two-day visit to New Delhi beginning Saturday to review bilateral ties in areas of trade as well as defence and security.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Saturday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asserted to work together to deepen partnership and deliver growth and security through recently announced India-UK free Trade Agreement (FTA).
'Thank you Prime Minister @narendramodi for your warm welcome to India. Building on the free trade agreement between our great countries, we will continue working together to deepen our partnership, celebrate our unique living bridge, and deliver growth and security," he said in a post on X.
Thank you Prime Minister @narendramodi for your warm welcome to India. Building on the free trade agreement between our great countries, we will continue working together to deepen our partnership, celebrate our unique living bridge, and deliver growth and security. pic.twitter.com/UbPXRey4Wn — David Lammy (@DavidLammy) June 7, 2025
Earlier today, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar held a meeting with his UK counterpart and thanked the British government for its strong condemnation of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and for expressing solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism.
Speaking at delegation-level talks, Jaishankar said India practised a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and expected partners to understand it. 'We will never countenance perpetrators of evil being put at par with their victims," he said.
Jaishankar also addressed the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), calling it a 'milestone", which will propel two-way trade between the countries and have a positive effect on other strategic aspects of bilateral ties.
'It will also contribute to the strengthening of supply and value chains," he said, while also highlighting other avenues of India-UK cooperation.
Lammy held wide-ranging talks with Jaishankar, and met PM Modi.
The British foreign secretary will also meet Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.
Lammy's visit to New Delhi comes over a month after the two countries finalised an ambitious free trade agreement (FTA). It is learnt that his visit is also expected to focus on preparing the ground for a possible trip to New Delhi by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
India-UK FTA
The historic announcement regarding the conclusion of talks on the free trade agreement (FTA) was made by PM Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer in May. India and the UK sealed the deal along with a double contribution convention. Modi said the 'historic milestone" will catalyse trade, investment, growth and job creation in both economies.
An Indian government press release said that India stands to gain from the trade pact as the UK agreed to scrap tariffs on nearly 99% of tariff lines, essentially covering all trade by value.
The agreement is also set to give a big push to India's manufacturing, the press release said, with labour and tech-heavy sectors expected to see an uptick.
Key exports like textiles, leather, marine products, gems and jewellery, footwear, toys, sports goods, auto parts, and organic chemicals will now have an edge in the UK market, levelling the field against global competition.
Bilateral trade between India and the United Kingdom rose to USD 21.34 billion in 2023-24, up from USD 20.36 billion the previous year. Currently, goods imported from India into the UK attract an average tariff of 4.2 per cent.
(With input from agencies)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
30 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
No tolerance for terror, allies must understand, says India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar reiterated India's 'zero tolerance' policy for terrorism and the need for decisive international action against terror and those who support it during meetings with British foreign secretary David Lammy on Saturday. Modi said India valued Britain's backing for the fight against cross-border terrorism while Jaishankar said India's partners should understand the 'zero tolerance' policy for terrorism as the country will never accept the perpetrators of terrorism being treated at par with victims. The remarks by the top Indian leadership, made against the backdrop of several countries hyphenating India and Pakistan during last month's military clashes, reiterated to the world community New Delhi's new approach to fighting cross-border terrorism backed by Islamabad. Britain's foreign office had said before Lammy's meeting with Indian interlocutors that he would address how the current peace between India and Pakistan can be supported for regional stability. ALSO READ | UK expresses support for India's fight against cross-border terrorism Modi said in a social media post after meeting Lammy that he values 'UK's support for India's fight against cross-border terrorism'. He also appreciated Lammy's 'substantive contribution to the remarkable progress in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, further strengthened by the recently concluded FTA'. A statement from the external affairs ministry said Modi had 'underscored the need for a decisive international action against terrorism and those who support it' - an apparent reference to Pakistan. The two leaders discussed regional and global issues and Lammy 'strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and expressed support for India's fight against cross-border terrorism', the statement said. Modi also expressed satisfaction at the conclusion of the free trade agreement (FTA) and the double contribution convention and expressed satisfaction at the deepening of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership. He welcomed continued collaboration under the Technology Security Initiative (TSI), especially its potential to 'shape trusted and secure innovation ecosystems'. Modi also reiterated his invitation to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to visit India. ALSO READ | Terrorism no proxy war, but planned one: Modi Lammy arrived in New Delhi on Saturday morning for meetings to review the bilateral partnership, especially trade and strategic ties, a month after India and the UK finalised the FTA. Lammy had visited Pakistan shortly after New Delhi and Islamabad reached an understanding on halting military actions on May 10. In his opening remarks at the meeting with Lammy, Jaishankar thanked the UK government for the strong condemnation of the 'barbaric terrorist attack' in Pahalgam and its support to India in the fight against terror. 'We practice a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and expect our partners to understand it, and we will never countenance perpetrators of evil being put at par with its victims,' he said. Lammy responded by referring to the 'horrific terrorist attack' and said Prime Minister Starmer had asked him to convey the 'deep condolences of the UK and a hand of friendship with India and support as we deal with the terrorism threat in a comprehensive manner'. Jaishankar described the finalisation of the FTA and double contribution convention as a milestone that will boost two-way trade and investment and have a 'positive effect on other strategic aspects' of bilateral relations, besides strengthening supply and value chains. ALSO READ | 'New normal': Shashi Tharoor on India's approach towards terrorism with Operation Sindoor He also referred to other significant initiatives that have seen progress, such as the TSI for deeper collaboration in strategic sectors such as AI, semiconductors, telecom, quantum computing, health technology, critical minerals and advanced materials. The TSI, coordinated by the national security advisers of India and the UK, was launched during Lammy's last visit to New Delhi in July 2024. 'We have also launched the Strategic Exports and Technology Cooperation Dialogue, the first meeting of which was held…this week. This will enhance, among others, the TSI's effectiveness in promoting trade in critical and emerging technologies, including the resolution of relevant licencing or regulatory issues,' Jaishankar said. The India-UK infrastructure financial bridge can unlock quality long-term capital flows from Britain to India and contribute to infrastructure development, and there is also good collaboration in the education sector with many UK universities planning to establish campuses in India, he said. Lammy described the finalisation of the FTA as Britain winning a 'trophy' and the beginning of a new era in bilateral ties since it is expected to increase will trade by £25.5 billion. He also conveyed the UK's interest in enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as trade, investment, defence and security, technology, innovation and clean energy. Lammy also met commerce minister Piyush Goyal and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. A readout from Britain's foreign office said bolstering economic and migration ties and delivering growth opportunities for British businesses topped the agenda for Lammy's visit. Lammy also focused on the migration partnership, including 'work on safeguarding citizens and securing borders in both countries'. The readout added, 'Addressing migration remains a top priority for the government - the Foreign Secretary is focused on working internationally with global partners to secure the UK's borders at home.' Lammy's visit would also prepare the grounds for a visit by Starmer to India for the formal signing of the FTA. Both countries are currently involved in the legal scrubbing of the FTA, a process expected to be completed in three months. During 2023-24, India was the UK's second largest source of investments in terms of number of projects for the fifth consecutive year. India was the UK's 11th largest trading partner in 2024, accounting for 2.4% of total British trade, and two-way trade in goods and services was worth nearly $57 billion in 2024. The FTA is expected to increase bilateral trade by $34 billion a year from 2040. Within a decade of the deal being implemented, 85% of British products will become tariff-free in India. Indian tariffs on alcohol will be cut from 150% to 75%, falling to 40% by the 10th year of the deal. India will also cut automotive tariffs from more than 100% to 10%. The UK too has agreed to cut its tariffs and 99% of India's exports to Britain will face no duties.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
British era school, which shut down in 2021, to reopen its gates on June 12
Tirupati: On the auspicious Telugu Ugadi day on March 30 this year, chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu launched his ambitious 'Zero Poverty P-4' initiative under the 'Swarna Andhra 2047' vision. The aim behind the P-4 initiative, which stands for public-private-people-partnership, is to achieve a poverty-free Andhra Pradesh within the next two decades. It seeks to bridge the socio-economic divide by encouraging the 10% wealthiest of the population to support the bottom 20% of the poorest families, fostering inclusive growth. While the noble concept is being gradually embraced across the state, in Nellore it is breathing new life into the 150-year-old VR school, which was established during the British era in 1875 but was shut down during the YSRCP regime a few years ago. During the British era, Nellore had only one school — the Free Church Mission high school — which was managed by Christian missionaries. The then headmaster of the school, Sunku Narayana Swamy Chetty, who is acknowledged as the first graduate in Nellore, resigned from the missionary school following differences with the management, and established the Hindu Anglo vernacular school on May 3, 1875. In the first year of its establishment, the school had 152 students. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dad-Approved Ways to Celebrate Father's Day in Costa Mesa - Travel Costa Mesa Travel Costa Mesa Read More Undo Financial problems After running the school for three years, Swamy Chetty found it difficult to run the institution due to paucity of funds, and stepped down in 1878. But the financial problems continued for the fledgling school, till it finally found a permanent campus in 1879, when Haji Mohammed Rahimtullah, the former Diwan of Venkatagiri Estates, purchased a big land parcel with constructed structures in a court auction for Rs 2,400 and donated the entire property to Hindu Anglo vernacular school. While the school flourished for close to a decade after moving to its permanent campus, it started facing financial problems again after Rahimtullah stepped down from the management committee in 1886. The worried members of the school management then approached V Rajagopala Krishna Yachendra Bahadur, the 28th Raja of Venkatagiri dynasty, who created a permanent fund of Rs 50,000 to administer the school and further its expansion plans. One of the six conditions the Venkatagiri Raja put forth while creating the permanent fund for the school was to rename the school in his name. Hindu Anglo Vernacular school was renamed as Venkatagiri Raja (VR) school and carried on the legacy. In 1901, VR school was registered under the 1860 Societies Act. The school today stands on 15.81acres in the heart of Nellore city, which includes a big playground spanning 5.06 acres. It 1921, VR college with intermediate education was established by the Venkatagiri Raja. Till 2018, VR school and college flourished under the administration of AC Subba Reddy family. Six different branches of education, including VR degree college, VR law college, VR institute for post graduate studies, VR institute for advanced studies, VR children's academy, and VR college of education were established over the last eight decades. Illustrious Alumni Several stalwarts including chief ministers, judges, state and Union ministers pursued their education at VR school and college in Nellore. Some of the notable names include Bezawada Gopal Reddy (1955-56), the second chief minister of Andhra state, former chief justice and governor Palagani Chandra Reddy, former chief justice CVL Narasimham, and present municipal administration minister Ponguru Narayana. Troubled times VR group of institutions found itself in the middle of a series of legal tangles between 1986 and 2018 following internal clashes for supremacy over the management of affairs. The warring groups, which first approached a local court in Nellore, subsequently knocked on the dorrs of the Supreme Court, with one group demanding the dismissal of the management committee headed by former MLA Anam Vivekananda Reddy, while the other appealed for the continuance of the committee headed by Vivekananda Reddy. Though the apex court passed orders for the conduct of elections in March 2018, the elections are yet to held. Though the then TDP govt in the state appointed a special officer to manage the administration of VR school and colleges in 2018, it was shut down in 2021 during the YSRCP regime, even as people from all walks of life staged protests demanding the govt to revive the school. New dawn for school State municipal administration minister Ponguru Narayana, who studied in VR high school and its inter and degree colleges, initiated steps for his alma mater's revival under CM Naidu's P-4 concept. "The school has a rich legacy and there are many like me who reached the pinnacles of success after studying at this great institution. After completing my education, I started my teaching career at VR college as a part-time lecturer. I was paid Rs 4 per hour of teaching," Narayana told STOI. He said it was extremely painful for him and for other alumni of the school when it was shut down indefinitely. "The previous govt ignored the sentiments of people and did not pay heed to the protests carried out by locals. During the elections, we promised to people of Nellore that VR school would be revived after TDP comes to power in the state. Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) is donating Rs 15 crore under its CSR activities to revive the school. HRD minister Nara Lokesh has accorded all necessary approvals to restart the school from this academic year itself after completing all infrastructure works. The school will have world-class infrastructure including smart boards in the classrooms, science labs, arts rooms, besides world class sports infrastructure," Narayana added. He said the municipal administration and Swachh Andhra depts have identified about 1,000 underprivileged children from the poorest sections of the society who would be admitted to the school from this year. "To sustain and establish VR school into a model school in the country, the state govt will initiate measures to reach out to people from all walks of life and motivate them to adopt these 1,000 under privileged children so that they can pursue their dreams by getting access to world class education free of cost," the minister said. As the children belong to families living below the poverty line, breakfast, lunch, and evening snacks will be provided free of cost to them everyday. In addition, free bicycles will be distributed to the students to reach the school from their homes. Free bus rides would also be provided for students living at a distance from the school. After four years of uncertainty, the 150-year-old school is all set to reopen its gates on June 12.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Lammy meets PM, Jaishankar: Trade to terror, India and UK flag deeper ties
After meeting visiting UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy Saturday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India follows a policy of 'zero tolerance against terrorism' and expects its partners to understand that Delhi will never 'countenance' the equivalence of perpetrators and victims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who met Lammy as well, said: 'Pleased to meet UK Foreign Secretary Mr David Lammy. Appreciate his substantive contribution to the remarkable progress in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, further strengthened by the recently concluded FTA. Value UK's support for India's fight against cross-border terrorism.' This is the first visit by a Foreign Minister from a P-5 country to India after the India-Pakistan hostilities last month. Lammy had visited Islamabad on May 16, when he had welcomed the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Jaishankar said: 'Let me thank the Government of the United Kingdom for the strong condemnation of the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and for your solidarity and support to India in the fight against terrorism. We practice a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and expect our partners to understand it, and we will never countenance perpetrators of evil being put at par with its victims.' Jaishankar said that recent conclusion of the India-UK FTA and the Double Contribution Convention is 'truly a milestone' which will not only propel two-way trade and investment but will have also have a 'positive effect on other strategic aspects of our bilateral ties, it would also contribute to the strengthening of supply and value chains'. He said that the Technology Security Initiative (TSI) will enable deeper collaboration in strategic technology sectors of AI, Semiconductors, Telecom, Quantum, HealthTech/ Bio-Tech, Critical Minerals and Advanced Materials. The two sides have also launched the Strategic Exports and Technology Cooperation Dialogue which will increase TSI's effectiveness in promoting trade in critical and emerging technologies, including the resolution of relevant licensing or regulatory issues. He also said that the UK-India infrastructure financial bridge can 'unlock quality long term capital flows from the United Kingdom to India', and that 'would surely contribute to our infrastructure development'. 'There is very good collaboration in the education sector with many more universities, I believe, planning to establish their campuses in India, and on the people-to-people ties front, we had the privilege — I myself had the honour — to open two new consulates in Manchester and Belfast.' According to the British High Commission, bolstering economic and migration ties and delivering further growth opportunities for British businesses are top on Lammy's agenda. 'The visit follows the historic Free Trade Agreement agreed between the two countries and will deliver on this government's commitment to boost jobs and prosperity. The new deal with India is expected to increase bilateral trade by over £25 billion every year, UK GDP by £4.8 billion, and wages by £2.2 billion each year in the long run, putting money back in the pockets of working people,' it said. Lammy said: 'India was one of my first visits as Foreign Secretary, and since then has been a key partner in the delivery of our Plan for Change. Our relationship has gone from strength to strength — securing our future technologies, adding over £25bn in trade every year between our countries and deepening the strong links between our cultures and people. 'Signing a free trade agreement is just the start of our ambitions — we're building a modern partnership with India for a new global era. We want to go even further to foster an even closer relationship and cooperate when it comes to delivering growth, fostering innovative technology, tackling the climate crisis and delivering our migration priorities, and providing greater security for our people.' The visit comes as some of India's top business leaders endorsed the trade deal which will increase opportunities for trade and investment between the UK and India. It also comes ahead of the launch of the UK's modern Industrial Strategy, which London says, will make it quicker, easier and cheaper to do business in the UK. On May 2, the UK and India signed a new UK-India Programme of Cultural Cooperation to boost collaboration across the arts and culture, creative industries, tourism and sport sectors. The agreement will open the door for increased UK creative exports to India and enable more partnerships between UK and Indian museums and cultural institutions, helping to grow UK soft power. At the 13th UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) in April, UK's Chancellor Rachel Reeves had welcomed £400m of trade and investment wins set to boost the British and the Indian economy and deliver economic growth and security for the working people. Lammy had travelled to India on his first official visit as Foreign Secretary in July last year, when he announced the TSI. Shubhajit Roy, Diplomatic Editor at The Indian Express, has been a journalist for more than 25 years now. Roy joined The Indian Express in October 2003 and has been reporting on foreign affairs for more than 17 years now. Based in Delhi, he has also led the National government and political bureau at The Indian Express in Delhi — a team of reporters who cover the national government and politics for the newspaper. He has got the Ramnath Goenka Journalism award for Excellence in Journalism '2016. He got this award for his coverage of the Holey Bakery attack in Dhaka and its aftermath. He also got the IIMCAA Award for the Journalist of the Year, 2022, (Jury's special mention) for his coverage of the fall of Kabul in August 2021 — he was one of the few Indian journalists in Kabul and the only mainstream newspaper to have covered the Taliban's capture of power in mid-August, 2021. ... Read More
