Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be embarking on an official visit to the United Kingdom and the Maldives starting from tomorrow.
In the first leg of his visit, he will hold discussions with his United Kingdom counterpart, Keir Starmer, and call on King Charles III.
Briefing media in New Delhi this afternoon, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Prime Minister Modi will also interact with business leaders of both the countries. He said this will be Prime Minister Modi’s fourth visit to the UK.
Foreign Secretary said this visit will give both leaders the opportunity to review the entire gamut of India-UK bilateral relations and discuss ways to strengthen it further. They will also exchange views on issues of regional and global relevance.
The India-UK Partnership was upgraded to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2021. Mr Misri said both sides remain committed to taking this partnership to even higher levels. He said business, tech, research, and innovation have emerged as key pillars of bilateral cooperation.
Mr Misri stated that University of Southampton has opened a campus in Gurugram recently. This is the first foreign university to open a campus in India under New Education Policy.
The Foreign Secretary said there are several other UK universities that are also considering opening campuses in India. He said India UK bilateral trade crossed 55 billion dollars in 2023-24.
The UK is also the 6th largest investor in India with accumulative investment of 36 billion dollars.
India is a large source of FDI in the UK with accumulative investment of close to 20 billion dollars.
There are around a thousand Indian companies in the UK that provide employment.
The Foreign Secretary also said that the UK India Infrastructure Financing Bridge, which is coordinated between NITI Aayog and the City of London, works to avail UK expertise in mobilising finance for green infrastructure projects and in the renewable energy sector in India.
Foreign Secretary added that in the defence sector, India and UK are seeing regular interactions. The UK also continues to be a very large research and innovation partner for India.
Speaking to Akashvani News, India’s High Commissioner to the UK, Mr. Vikram Kumar Doraiswami, said that the upcoming visit will be beneficial for both countries. He added that a future agreement on free trade will have a positive impact on both economies, calling it an ambitious document.
He said that Prime Minister Modi places great emphasis on the relationship between the two countries, not just to maintain it at its current level, but to elevate it to the next level.
On the meeting with King Charles, Mr. Doraiswami said that Mr. Modi will be meeting him during the visit.
In the second leg of his visit, Prime Minister will undertake a state visit to Maldives from 25th to 26th July on the invitation of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu.
Foreign Secretary said that Prime Minister will be the ‘Guest of Honour’ at the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Independence of Maldives on 26th of July.
This will be Prime Minister’s third visit to Maldives, and the first visit by a Head of State or Government to Maldives during the Presidency of Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
Mr Modi will hold meeting with President Muizzu and inaugurate infrastructure projects.
Foreign Secretary Misri said that Maldives is a very important partner in India’s Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR.
He said India has always been first on hand to respond to the needs of Maldives whenever it has faced crises, natural or manmade. Mr Misri said there has been a robust political relationship bolstered by regular visits at high levels.
India is one of the largest trading partner of Maldives. Bilateral trade is nearly 500 million dollars. Both countries are in discussions to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement and an Investment Treaty as well.
New areas of cooperation including renewable energy and fisheries are also being worked on.
The Foreign Secretary said India has been a traditional development partner of Maldives executing various initiatives.
The Foreign Secretary said India also has a robust defence and security cooperation cooperation with Maldives. He said India continues to assist Maldives in building its capacity and train Maldives’ defence personnel.
The two countries are also cooperating on the ambit of Colombo Security Conclave.
On signing of FTA document between India and UK, the Foreign Secretary said the two sides have been in close touch since concluding negotiations on Free Trade Agreement. He informed that both sides are currently engaged in legal scrubbing and other last minute formalities.
Replying to a question on Khalistani extremists, Mr Misri said this issue is a matter of concern for India and it has been brought to the attention of UK.
He added that this is a matter of concern not only to India but its partners as well because this impacts social cohesion and social order in these countries as well.
On a separate question, the Foreign Secretary said discussions have also taken place between India and UK regarding extradition of fugitives to India.
