UK PM Johnson Meets PM Modi In Delhi, Free Trade Agreement To Conclude By This Year

UK PM Boris Johnson arrived in Gujarat on Thursday for the start of his two-day visit to India. Boris Johnson met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Thursday as the UK looks to discuss topics from climate change to energy security to defence, the partnership of our democracies is vital as the world faces growing threats from autocratic states.

Addressing the joint press meet, PM Modi said PM Johnson has played a very important role in strengthening the relations between India and the UK and that the arrival of Prime Minister Boris Johnson here is a historic moment in itself.

“For the past several years, Prime Minister Johnson has played a very important role in strengthening the relations between India and the UK. At this time, when India is celebrating the Amrit Festival of its independence, the arrival of Prime Minister Boris Johnson here is a historic moment in itself,” said PM Modi.

Modi and Johnson also reviewed the progress made in “Roadmap 2030” which will guide the relationship between the UK and India in this decade.

“And we also launched an ambitious “Roadmap 2030” to guide our relationship in this decade. In our conversation today, we also reviewed the progress made in this roadmap, and also set some goals for the future,” Modi said.

Modi said that the Free Trade Agreement between both countries might be concluded by the end of this year.

“The teams of both the countries are working on the subject of Free Trade Agreement. Good progress is being made in the negotiations. And we have decided to do our best to conclude the FTA by the end of this year,” said Modi.

Modi also invited UK to join India’s National Hydrogen Mission to deepen the climate and energy partnership.

Modi emphasized the Global Innovation Partnership and said that it will prove to be a very important initiative between both countries. UK will also finance up to $100 million for scaling-up of “Made in India” innovations to third countries

“The conclusion of the implementation arrangements of the Global Innovation Partnership will prove to be a very important initiative between us today. This will further strengthen our development partnership with other countries,” Modi said.

“Under this, India and UK will co-finance up to $100 million for the transfer and scaling-up of “Made in India” innovations to third countries,” Modi further added.

Modi and Johnson also discussed the developments taking place at the regional and global level. They also talked about the Indo-Pacific region and India welcomed UK’s decision to join Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.

“We emphasized on maintaining the Indo-Pacific region based on a free, open, inclusive and rules-based order. India welcomes UK’s decision to join Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative,” said Modi.

During the meeting both the leader reiterated the importance of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries.

“We stressed on dialogue and diplomacy in Ukraine for an immediate ceasefire and resolution of the problem. We also reiterated the importance of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries,” said Modi.

Talking about the Afghanistan situation Modi said that Afghan land should not be used to spread terrorism in other countries.

“We reiterated our support for a peaceful, stable and secure Afghanistan and for an inclusive and representative Government. It is necessary that Afghan land should not be used to spread terrorism in other countries,” said Modi.