 "Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar delivers remarks to the media after the Quad Ministerial Meeting at Iikura Guest House in Tokyo, Japan, July 29, 2024. File Image/Reuters")
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar is on a six-day official visit to the United Kingdom and Ireland from March 4 to 9, 2025.
Jaishankar’s visit to the UK comes at a crucial time and will see him engage in high-level discussions with British leaders, including Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
A primary focus will be the ongoing negotiations for the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which aims to boost economic relations between the two nations.
India and the UK share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, covering various sectors such as defence, security, economy, health, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
Apart from diplomatic meetings, Jaishankar will reportedly inaugurate new Indian consulates in Belfast and Manchester, something which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil in November .
These additions expand India’s diplomatic footprint in the UK, complementing existing missions in London, Birmingham, and Edinburgh, along with honorary consulates in Cardiff, Belfast, and Newcastle upon Tyne.
Jaishankar is also scheduled to deliver an address at Chatham House, a leading London-based think tank, on March 5 at a session titled “India’s rise and role in the world,” which is expected to outline India’s growing influence in global affairs and its approach to international challenges.
Why Jaishankar’s UK visit is important
Jaishankar’s visit coincides with intensifying discussions in Europe over the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The meeting with David Lammy follows a recent high-profile diplomatic clash between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy , which has drawn global attention.
Days after this confrontation, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted a summit with European leaders in London, stressing the need for a unified peace plan to end the war in Ukraine.
Starmer has pushed for Europe to take the lead in the peace process while ensuring US support. “This is not a moment for more talk. It’s time to act. Time to step up and lead and to unite around a new plan for a just and enduring peace,” Starmer said in a recent press conference.
India, meanwhile, has maintained a neutral stance on the war. New Delhi abstained from voting on two recent UN resolutions backed by Ukraine and the US . Additionally, India has adjusted its diplomatic language, shifting from referring to the war’s key players as “two parties to the conflict” to “parties concerned” — a broader term that includes the US, Ukraine, Russia, and Europe.
This shift signals India’s careful diplomatic balancing act, avoiding explicit support for any side while highlighting the importance of dialogue and diplomacy.
The visit will be closely watched to see whether Jaishankar and Lammy discuss India’s position on the Ukraine war and its potential role in peace efforts. However, given India’s strategic neutrality, it is unlikely that Jaishankar will align with any particular bloc in the conflict.
India-UK Free Trade Agreement
One of the most anticipated aspects of Jaishankar’s visit is the resumption of discussions on the India-UK Free Trade Agreement. Negotiations on the trade deal, which aims to reduce tariffs and boost investment, have been ongoing for several years.
Talks were recently revived when British Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds visited New Delhi in February 2025.
The FTA is expected to cover key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, financial services, and technology, offering significant economic benefits to both nations.
While there have been roadblocks, including disagreements over market access and tariff reductions, the renewed negotiations signal progress toward finalising the deal.
Jaishankar’s agenda in Ireland
From March 6 to 7, Jaishankar will travel to Ireland, where he will meet with his Irish counterpart, Simon Harris, along with other officials and members of the Indian diaspora. India and Ireland share a long-standing relationship built on shared democratic values, cultural ties, and increasing economic cooperation.
A significant development expected during this visit is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a diplomat exchange programme, reported The Hindu.
Additionally, the two nations are set to announce the establishment of the India-Ireland Joint Economic Commission, aimed at fostering deeper economic collaboration between the two countries.
This visit marks the highest-level diplomatic engagement between India and Ireland since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Dublin in 2015.
It also highlights New Delhi’s interest in strengthening ties with smaller European nations beyond its primary partnerships with the UK, France, and Germany.
India’s global balancing act
Jaishankar’s UK and Ireland visit comes amid rapidly evolving geopolitical developments. As India continues to position itself as a major global player, it is carefully navigating complex diplomatic landscapes, including its ties with the US, Europe, Russia, and Ukraine.
India has consistently advocated for peaceful negotiations to resolve conflicts, maintaining its stance that solutions should be found through dialogue rather than military action.
Modi recently reaffirmed this position during talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen , stating the need for a “just and lasting peace” based on international law and territorial sovereignty.
Meanwhile, European leaders are pushing for new approaches to ending the Ukraine conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron and UK leaders have proposed a partial one-month truce , covering air, sea, and energy infrastructure attacks but excluding ground combat.
However, differences have emerged, with the UK distancing itself from France’s proposal and Kyiv expressing concerns over security guarantees before agreeing to a ceasefire.
As Jaishankar meets with his counterparts in London and Dublin, he will have to navigate these geopolitical changes while focusing on strengthening India’s bilateral partnerships.
With inputs from agencies