Jaishankar meets UK's Leader of Opposition Keir Starmer, affirms commitment to bilateral ties

The bipartisan commitment to enhancing India-UK relations was reaffirmed by the two leaders during the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s meeting with UK Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer on Wednesday in the Parliament. “Delighted to meet UK’s Leader of Opposition @Keir_Starmer in the Parliament,” EAM Jaishankar said on his official X handle, providing details on his meeting with the leader of the opposition. Admire the United Kingdom’s bipartisan commitment to fortifying our alliance. Bilateral issues as well as common regional and worldwide interests were discussed." EAM Jaishankar met UK Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy earlier on Wednesday. The two leaders had talks about bilateral cooperation as well as security and development challenges. “Pleased to meet Shadow Foreign Secretary @DavidLammy this morning. A wide-ranging conversation on security and development issues, as well as bilateral cooperation. Appreciated his perspectives and insights,” the EAM posted from his official X handle. “Also thank Shadow Minister for Asia and the Pacific @CatherineWest1 for joining on the occasion,” Jaishankar added. On Wednesday, Jaishankar’s five-day journey to the UK will come to an end. The UK’s National Security Advisor, Tim Barrow, and the EAM met earlier in the day to talk about regional and global challenges. Meeting with British counterpart David Cameron on Tuesday, Jaishankar talked on advancing a free trade agreement and forming alliances in the fields of research, technology, and military. The two leaders discussed achieving the goals of the UK-India 2030 Roadmap as well as the strength of the relationship between the two countries during their discussion. Notably, talks for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) are underway between India and the UK. India and the UK began negotiating an FTA in 2022, and this year’s 12th round of talks took place from August 8 to August 31. (With agency inputs)