New Delhi:
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will stop by India subsequent month to attend the Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced on Tuesday immediately after holding talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
The two sides agreed on the crucial components of an ambitious 10-year roadmap to additional broaden ties, and also enhance strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific area.
In their wide-ranging talks, S Jaishankar and Mr Raab also discussed obtaining an ”Enhanced Trade Partnership” by subsequent year that could be a stepping stone towards a future cost-free trade agreement.
At a joint press conference with Mr Raab, Mr Jaishankar stated the almost 4-hour talks focused on 5 crucial regions –trade and prosperity, defence and safety, climate alter, healthcare and folks-to-folks connectivity.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs stated each sides agreed to “prioritise finalisation of an ambitious, 360 degree roadmap” for upgrading the India-UK partnership to the subsequent level and it will be adopted at the forthcoming stop by of the British prime minister to India.
It stated each sides recognised the significance of “fast tracking” the discussions on a trade deal as properly as concluding a complete migration and mobility partnership agreement that can facilitate swifter movement of students and experts in each directions.
The two sides also reviewed the circumstance in Afghanistan, the evolution of the Indo-Pacific and developments in the Middle East in addition to discussion on shared issues more than challenges posed by terrorism and radicalism, he stated.
“Overall, it would be fair to say that we had a very productive discussion as our partnership becomes more ambitious and consequential,” S Jaishankar stated.
Mr Raab stated, “Prime Minister Boris Johnson has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to join the UK-hosted G7 summit next year. The UK Prime Minister has also accepted the very generous invitation to attend India’s Republic Day celebrations (as chief guest) in January which is a great honour.”
Mr Johnson will be the second British Prime Minister to grace the Republic Day celebrations immediately after John Major in 1993. Overall, he is set to be the sixth British leader to grace the occasion.
According to Downing Street, Mr Johnson although describing India as a crucial player in the Indo-Pacific area stated that his stop by will mark the commence of an “exciting year” for Global Britain and provide a “quantum leap” in the bilateral ties.