Both leaders review Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Andalib Akhter / New Delhi
Opportunities for defence collaborations, particularly co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies, the establishment of a mechanism for maritime electric propulsion, space and cyber domain were some of the issues discussed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday. Both leaders talked about deepening bilateral relations between the two countries.
Prime Minister Modi invited British industries to take advantage of India’s modern defence ecosystem and Make In India to meet the needs of the armed forces of India as well as those of other countries.
In his joint address to the media persons at the end of talks, Prime Minister Modi announced that the two countries have agreed to conclude the FTA by the end of this year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said, they reviewed the progress made in this Roadmap and also set some goals for the future. He said, they also discussed the comprehensive reforms going on in India, the infrastructure modernization plan, and the National Infrastructure Pipeline. He welcomed the growing investment in India by UK companies. He said, they decided to deepen the climate and energy partnership and invited the UK to join India’s National Hydrogen Mission.
Mr Modi said, the conclusion of the implementation arrangements of the Global Innovation Partnership today will prove to be a very important initiative. This will further strengthen development partnerships with other countries. Both leaders also discussed the developments taking place at the regional and global levels. Prime Minister Modi said, they emphasized maintaining the Indo-Pacific region based on free, open, inclusive, and rules-based order. He welcomed UK’s decision to join Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
Mr Modi said, they stressed dialogue and diplomacy in Ukraine for an immediate ceasefire and resolution of the problem. They also reiterated the importance of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries.
In his statement, the visiting Prime Minister Johnson said the partnership between India and Britain is one of the defining friendships of the times. He pointed out that since last year, the threats of autocratic coercion have grown even further and it is vital to deepen cooperation including a shared interest in keeping the Indo-Pacific open and free. Two agreements were also exchanged following the bilateral talks.
Mr Johnson arrived in India on a two-day visit yesterday. He was accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning. Talking to the media, Mr Johnson called it a very auspicious moment in the relationship and friendship between India and UK. He said, the bilateral ties have never been as good or as strong as they are today.
Mr Johnson also visited Rajghat and laid a wreath at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi. This is his maiden visit to India as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar called on the visiting dignitary. They discussed the expanding partnership and implementing the India-UK Roadmap-2030.
Briefing media after the talks, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said defence and security cooperation was another key focus area for the visit. He said both leaders held detailed discussions on opportunities for defence collaborations, particularly co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies. They welcomed the establishment of a mechanism for maritime electric propulsion. Prime Minister Modi invited British industries to take advantage of India’s modern defence ecosystem and Make In India to meet the needs of the armed forces of India as well as those of other countries.
Prime Minister Modi welcomed the recent UK announcement of an Open General Export Licence that will significantly facilitate the UK’s defence licencing process for India. He also welcomed the open opportunity for Indian defence companies to participate in UK’s new helicopter and naval shipbuilding programme. Both sides also agreed on intensifying operations in countering threats in new domains like cyber security, space, and artificial intelligence as well as on strengthening cooperation on counter-terrorism and addressing violent extremism and radicalism.
On cyber security, both leaders agreed to enhance the India UK Cyber Security Partnership with a focus on cyber governance, safeguarding national infrastructure and building cyber deterrence. In the context of the current global energy price volatility, both leaders also emphasised cooperation on the rapid deployment of renewables including offshore wind energy in which the UK is a world leader and in areas like green hydrogen. They also discussed ongoing health collaboration, building on the successful partnership of the COVISHIELD vaccine.