UK India Business Council sees the UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s India visit as a clear Desire to Deepen UK-India Ties
By Trisha Nagpal
and Richard McCallum
UK India Business Council sees the UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s India visit as a clear Desire to Deepen UK-India Ties
New Delhi, July 25, 2024: The UK India Business Council sees the UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s visit to India as a loud and clear signal that the new UK Government, which came to power on 4 July, wants to strengthen the partnership between the two nations across economic prosperity, domestic and global security.
During his visit, Mr. Lammy met with Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi, announcing the new UK-India Technology Security Initiative, and reaffirmed his commitment to broaden and deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with India. Mr. Lammy also met with his Indian counterpart Shri. S. Jaishankar, with whom he discussed the Free Trade Agreement and global security. He also interacted with business leaders, including UKIBC members.
The UK Government has shown renewed positive sentiment towards India, the Labour Party Manifesto had pledged to pursue a “new strategic partnership” with India, deepening cooperation on security, technology, climate change, and education.
Ahead of his visit, the UK foreign secretary applauded India’s growth trajectory and recognized it as an emerging superpower with one of the fastest growing economies in the world. And a particularly pleasing aspect of the visit was that Mr. Lammy’s reinforced the UK’s commitment to securing an FTA that benefits both countries. We now look forward to the resumption of negotiations and the signing of a win-win deal.
Richard McCallum, Group Chief Executive Officer, UK India Business Council, outlined future areas of cooperation, “The visit by the UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to India in his first month in office sends a positive message about cooperation between UK and India. India is the most exciting economic story in the world today and the UK can play a significant role working with India on its journey to being a developed nation by 2047. This in turn will create growth, jobs and investment back in the UK. We are encouraged that both governments have shown strong intent to conclude the FTA negotiations; this is what our members would like to see achieved quickly.
India is seen making huge strides across a range of sectors towards encouraging foreign investments, especially through the announced reduction in corporate tax and the intent to simplify FDI norms. We see the comprehensive partnership only deepening with these efforts from both governments.”
About the UKIBC
UKIBC is a policy advocacy and advisory not-for-profit, with a mission to grow the UK-India trade and investment. To do that, we provide strategic and practical support to businesses and universities to explore, enter, and expand in both markets.
We want to help more UK businesses to uncover opportunities and succeed in India.
Business looking at the India opportunity need to develop a strategy based on factual market insights, and then implement that strategy. The UK India Business Council has the knowledge, networks, and people to help do this.
UK-India collaboration creates prosperity and jobs in both countries, and UK and Indian business have ideas, technology, services and products which improve lives. We work closely with the UK and Indian governments, the devolved administrations, England’s city regions, and State governments across India. We believe a strong UK-India economic partnership is a force for positive change globally.
