Foreign Secretary's virtual meeting with Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr Jaishankar, 6 May 2021
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr Jaishankar today (Thursday 6 May) held a 2-hour virtual meeting.
A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said:
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab spoke with Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr Jaishankar today (Thursday 6 May) via video call.
Both Ministers welcomed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the UK and India, and discussed how they could coordinate efforts to deliver deeper cooperation and collaboration between the 2 countries.
They noted the importance of working together to tackle global challenges such as climate change, coronavirus and countering shared threats including malign cyber activity.
The 2 ministers reflected on key achievements, such as the Enhanced Trade Partnership announced earlier this week, which removes market barriers and will help create new British and Indian jobs, including in strategic areas like science and technology.
They discussed priority areas for further progress, across trade, defence and security, climate, and health. They also welcomed the Migration and Mobility Partnership, announced this week, which will strengthen the ‘living bridge’ of people between the UK and India.
Building on their discussions in New Delhi last December, the Ministers agreed to ensure delivery of the 2030 Roadmap for India-UK future relations, agreed by the Prime Minster and Prime Minister Modi on 4 May, as the foundation of an elevated UK-India relationship.
On climate change both ministers agreed that it was important to build on the momentum growing among the international community ahead of COP26 in Glasgow.
They discussed regional issues including the UK’s successful application for ASEAN Dialogue Partner status, and how the 2 countries and ASEAN nations could work together to bring an end to the military coup in Myanmar.
Finally, they discussed the need for deeper collaboration to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and agreed on the need for swift and equitable access to vaccines around the world.
Media enquiries
Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk
Telephone 020 7008 3100
Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.