India-UK virtual summit opens “new chapter in bilateral relations”
The two leaders adopted an ambitious India-UK Roadmap to 2030 to steer cooperation for the next ten years.
By IAR Desk
New Delhi: May, 4, 2021: A virtual summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier today, May 4, has “opened a new chapter in bilateral relations between the two countries”, according to Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
At a virtual media briefing on the summit, held virtually because of the Coronavirus surge in India, Sandeep Chakravorty, Joint Secretary (Europe West), Ministry of External Affairs, said, “The virtual summit has opened a new chapter in bilateral relations between the two countries. The leaders had substantive discussions on the entire gamut of bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.”
The two leaders adopted an ambitious India-UK Roadmap to 2030 to steer cooperation for the next ten years . They emphasized that an “enhanced India-UK bilateral cooperation can not only reap mutual benefits but also be a global force for good to revive lives and livelihoods, promote peace and prosperity around the world and protect and preserve the planet for future generations. ”
The roadmap would guide the “revitalized and dynamic connections between our people; re-energised trade, investment and technological collaboration that improves the lives and livelihoods of our citizens; enhanced defence and security cooperation that brings a more secure Indian Ocean Region and Indo-Pacific and India-UK leadership in climate, clean energy and health that acts as a global force for good.”
A major result of the summit is an agreement for a new Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) between the two countries. This is believed to facilitate greater bilateral trade, even doubling it by 2030. Bilateral trade in 2019-20 stood at USD 15.4 billion dollars.
The partnership will even pave the way for the clinching of a India-UK Free Trade Agreement in the future, which both leaders announced would be negotiated, including an Interim Trade Agreement for delivering early gains.
Another highlight of bilateral relations has been the signing of the Migration and Mobility Partnership. Sandeep Chakravorty, Joint Secretary (Europe West), Ministry of External Affairs, said, “Both countries have signed a comprehensive MoU on Migration and Mobility Partnership. This has been offered to India for the first time. Under this MoU the UK has agreed to create a new scheme on youth mobility.”
“With this MoU in place, each year up to 3000 young Indian professionals can avail employment opportunities in the UK for a period of two years and they will not be subject to labour market test.”
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met British Home Secretary Priti Patel in London on Tuesday to sign the agreement. Jaishankar is in London to attend the G7 meeting.
“A fruitful meeting this morning with Home Secretary Priti Patel. Signed the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement that would facilitate legal travel and encourage talent flows, Jaishankar tweeted alongside images of his meeting with the British-Indian Cabinet minister.
“The living bridge between India and UK will get stronger as a result, he said.
