A comprehensive India-UK ‘Roadmap 2030’ review was undertaken during the two-day visit of Foreign Secretary, Vinay Kwatra in London, shares the Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday. Both the nations agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation further in the sectors of defence and security, science and technology, trade, as well as people-to-people exchanges.
Vinay Kwatra, the Foreign Secretary, visited the United Kingdom from May 16 to May 17, 2024. The main objective of his visit to London was to attend the 16th round of FOC or Foreign Office Consultations between the two sides.
In 2021, the United Kingdom and India adopted a 10-year roadmap. This roadmap was adopted to expand ties in essential areas such as defense and security, trade and economy, people-to-people connections, and climate exchange, amongst other sectors.
At the Foreign Office Consultations, Vinay Kwatra, the Foreign Secretary, spoke with Sir Philip Barton, United Kingdom’s permanent under-secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO).
Vinay Kwatra, the Foreign also held meetings with Lord Tariq Ahmad-Minister of State, James Cartlidge-MoS for Defence Procurement, NSA Sir Tim Barrow, Matthew Rycroft-Home Office Permanent Secretary, Crawford Falconer-Chief Trade Negotiator, and John Bew-Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of United Kingdom.
The Ministry of External Affairs shared that both the sides talked about the entire gamut of regional issues, global issues, and bilateral relations of mutual interest. The Foreign Secretary and the Permanent Under-Secretary took up a detailed review of the India-UK ‘Roadmap 2030.”
Ministry of External also shared that both of them underscored their interest level of ambition and decided upon strengthening the bilateral cooperation in areas like trade and economics, defense and security, mobility, energy, science and technology, people-to-people ties, health, and climate change. Together, they welcomed good progress across all the areas.
Many experts share that the United Kingdom and India share a comprehensive and strategic partnership that has been strengthened across all domains. The main reason behind such a solid bonding is due consistent high-level meetings and political exchanges of bilateral institutional mechanisms.
The UK-India relationship was raise to the comprehensive strategic partnership back in May 2021. Both the sides are currently negotiating a free trade agreement. They are also keen to expand cooperation in the maritime sphere.
Back in June 2021, the United Kingdom posted a liaison officer at the IFC, Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre. The liaison officer emerged as a key in tracking ship movements and other developments in the region of the Indian Ocean. The United Kingdom also joined a group of countries like the United States, Japan, Australia, and France in order to appoint officials at the facility in Gurugram.
In order to effectively keep track of the shipping traffic, the Indian Navy established the IFC-IOR back in 2018. The IFC-IOR was also established in order to keep track of the critical developments in the region. The IFC-IOR is under collaborative framework with countries having a like-minded approach.
The Foreign Secretary, Vinay Kwatra, reviewed the India-UK ‘Roadmap 2030’ in London to enhance bilateral cooperation.