Lammy arrives in India to reinforce UK’s commitment to FTA

Newly elected British foreign secretary David Lammy arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss the potential of the bilateral ties with India and will reinforce the UK’s commitment to securing a free trade agreement (FTA).

Lammy will also hold high-level talks with the minister of external affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

The British High Commission, in a press release, said Lammy will “reiterate the extraordinary contribution of British Indians, saying that they enrich the UK’s social and economic landscape and are the epitome of modern Britain.”

During his one-day visit, Lammy is expected to voice the UK’s commitment to securing a FTA with India to benefit both economies.

Before leaving for New Delhi, Lammy said, “I am traveling to India in my first month as foreign secretary because resetting our relationship with the Global South is a key part of how this government will reconnect Britain for our security and prosperity at home.”

Stating that India is the emerging superpower of the 21st century, the largest country in the world with 1.4 billion people and one of the fastest growing economies in the world, Lammy said, “Our Free Trade Agreement negotiations is the floor, not the ceiling of our ambitions to unlock our shared potential and deliver growth, from Bengaluru to Birmingham. We have shared interests in the green transition, new technologies, economic security, and global security.”

Lammy will galvanize support for accelerated action on the climate crisis with India as an indispensable partner, driving the clean energy transition forward and creating opportunities for British and Indian businesses, the press release said.

During his visit, Lammy will discuss partnering on Indian-led global initiatives to build clean power access and climate resilience in the global south and small island states. 

The foreign secretary is also scheduled to meet business leaders to highlight how the UK and India are working together to encourage innovation, boost trade, and improve the livelihoods of working people in both countries.