andalib akhter / New Delhi
India and the United Kingdom today agreed to set up a Joint Working Group, JWG, to expand trade between the two countries. Besides goods trade, the Group wil also focus on services, through greater mobility for skilled professionals.
In his press statement after holding delegation level talks with his British counterpart Theresa May in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, Indian companies are successfully raising finance from London and New Delhi is encouraged by London Stock Exchange hosting several Rupee denominated Masala bonds.
The Prime Minister invited the United Kingdom to build partnership with Indian enterprises that focus on manufacturing, technology transfer and co-development in Defence sector. He also welcomed the growing cooperation in cyber security. Mr Modi thanked his counterpart for UK’s consistent support for India’s membership of UN Security Council and Nuclear Suppliers Group.
On cross-border terrorism, Mr Modi conveyed India’s deep concern and need for international commitment to take strong action against States supporting and sponsoring terrorism.
On radicalization, the two leaders acknowledged that it is not a limited security challenge and need concerted action to tackle it. Mr Modi said that strategic partnership is geared towards meeting 21st century challenges and contributing to global good.
In her statement, British Premier Theresa May said, Mr Modi and she are personally dedicated to invest in India and UK relationship.
On terrorism, she said both the countries are facing the shared threat of terrorism as individual countries, partners and global powers. She said, India and UK are facing threat of cyber attack from other states, terrorists and criminals operating in cyber space.
She said, both the countries have agreed to strengthen their cooperation by sharing best practices to tackle use of Internet by violent extremists. They also agreed to negotiate a cyber framework.
Earlier, India and UK signed two agreements in the field of intellectual property rights and the ease of doing business.