Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, during his official visit to the UK, expressed gratitude for the steadfast support from UK Home Secretary James Cleverly. The meeting between the two leaders covered essential aspects of the bilateral relationship, with a focus on the crucial role of mobility, skills, and talent in fostering collaborative development.
Jaishankar shared details of the discussions, stating, “Met UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly at the High Commissioner’s reception last evening. Met UK Home Secretary James Cleverly this evening. Discussed the importance of mobility, skills, and talent in the development of our bilateral cooperation.”
The leaders exchanged views on joint initiatives to address shared concerns, including extremism, economic offenses, trafficking, and security. Jaishankar acknowledged Cleverly’s consistent support for the strategic partnership between India and the UK.
During his visit, Jaishankar also engaged in discussions with UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, focusing on enhancing defense and security cooperation between the two nations. The leaders explored opportunities for collaboration through India’s Make in India initiative, presenting new prospects for British partners. Additionally, they exchanged perspectives on global security challenges, emphasizing the convergences in their strategic approaches.
Following a surprising cabinet reshuffle by UK PM Rishi Sunak, Jaishankar met with newly appointed UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron. He conveyed his greetings on Cameron assuming charge of his new office on Monday. The reshuffle saw the removal of former home secretary Suella Braverman over her criticism of police amid pro-Palestine rallies. Former Prime Minister David Cameron was appointed as the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs, marking a rare return to the cabinet after World War II.
Jaishankar’s visit aims to strengthen the growing bilateral partnership between India and the UK, with negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) underway since 2022. The 12th round of negotiations occurred from August 8-31, 2023, signaling a commitment to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership launched in 2021. The India-UK Roadmap 2030 outlines the trajectory for this partnership, enhancing friendly ties and cooperation between the two countries.
