Piyush Goyal, David Lammy hail India-UK FTA progress, pledge deeper ties across sectors

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Saturday, June 7, to discuss key issues surrounding the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and future collaboration between the two nations.

Taking to social media platform X, Goyal described the meeting as “fruitful,” highlighting both sides’ appreciation for the work accomplished in finalising the historic India-UK FTA.

“We both expressed our appreciation towards the work done in finalising the historic India-UK FTA, which is poised to give further boost to our growing ties,” he stated.

Goyal further shared that the discussions focused on deepening bilateral trade and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.

“We further discussed avenues to deepen bilateral trade and strengthen collaboration across various sectors to unlock the full potential of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” he added.

The meeting followed a series of high-level engagements between Lammy and top Indian leaders during his visit to New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met Lammy and acknowledged his “substantive contribution” to strengthening the bilateral relationship.

“Pleased to meet UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Appreciate his substantive contribution to the remarkable progress in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, further strengthened by the recently concluded FTA,” PM Modi posted on X. He also thanked the UK for supporting India in the fight against cross-border terrorism.

Responding on X, Lammy expressed the UK’s commitment to deepening ties, “Thank you Prime Minister @narendramodi for your warm welcome to India. Building on the free trade agreement between our great countries, we will continue working together to deepen our partnership, celebrate our unique living bridge, and deliver growth and security.”

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also held bilateral talks with Lammy. Jaishankar appreciated the UK’s strong condemnation of the recent Pahalgam terror attack. “We practice a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and expect our partners to understand it. We will never countenance perpetrators of evil being put at par with their victims,” Jaishankar emphasised.

Lammy conveyed condolences from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the Pahalgam attack and reiterated Britain’s support in countering terrorism. “My Prime Minister wishes me to convey once again the deep condolences of the UK and a hand of friendship with India,” Lammy stated.

After his meeting with the MEA, the British foreign secretary said, “We are advancing a new era in UK-India relations — boosting trade and technology, tackling the climate crisis and providing greater security for our people.”

(With inputs from PTI)

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