Enhancing bilateral cooperation
In the backdrop of expanding ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Boris Johnson on Friday discussed a series of spheres where the India-uk partnership can be taken forward. A look at some of the issues taken up during their meeting
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
PUSH FOR FTA:
PM Narendra Modi and British PM Boris Johnson pushed for closing the negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA), which aims to double India-uk trade by 2030. The third round of talks is set to begin in New Delhi next week.
TARGET DIWALI: The target date for the FTA has been advanced to Diwali this year (Oct 24), having been pushed forward from the previous timeline of end of 2022
“We are using our Brexit freedoms to reach a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and today Prime Minister Modi and I told our negotiators to get it done by Diwali in October."
—BORIS JOHNSON
RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR
‘NO PRESSURE FROM THE UK’: Modi discussed the Russia-ukraine conflict with Johnson and conveyed India’s strong advocacy for peaceful resolution of the situation and called for an immediate ceasefire. Foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that there was no pressure from the British side on India regarding any sanctions on Russia "The position on Russia that the Indians have historically is well known. They are not going to change that, of course, that's true." —BORIS JOHNSON
DEFENCE PUSH
NEW LICENCE: Britain is creating an Open General Export Licence (OGEL) for India to "reduce bureaucracy and slashing delivery times" for defence procurement
COOPERATION: Both sides agreed to work together to meet new threats across land, sea, air space and cyber domains
NEW PARTNERSHIPS: Britain will partner with India on new fighter jet tech as well as in maritime sphere to tackle threats in the oceans
TACKLING EXTREMISM
‘ZERO TOLERANCE’: The two leaders expressed "zero tolerance" for terrorism in all its forms and agreed to constitute a sub-group on countering extremism in order to ensure that all possible actions are taken against groups and individuals operating out of either country. "They emphasised the importance of perpetrators of terrorist attacks being systematically and expeditiously brought to justice, and agreed to work together to take concerted action against globally proscribed terrorist entities and individuals," they said
GEOPOLITICS
‘AUTOCRATIC COERCION’ IN INDO-PACIFIC: The two leaders emphasised on the need for a free, open, and rule-based Indo-pacific region with both sides agreeing to combat threats. Johnson said that the "threat of autocratic coercion (in the region) has grown … and it's therefore vital that we deepen our cooperation including our shared interest in keeping the Indo-pacific open and free."
AFGHANISTAN: Modi reiterated India's support for an inclusive government in Afghanistan. "We reiterated our support for a peaceful, stable, and secure Afghanistan ... It is necessary that Afghan land should not be used to spread terrorism in other countries," he said
MALLYA, NIRAV EXTRADITION
Boris Johnson said that his government has ordered the extradition of economic fugitives wanted by India but there are legal technicalities that made the task "very difficult".
"On the two individuals (Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya) … the extradition case, there are legal technicalities that made it very difficult. But what I can tell you is that the UK government has ordered their extradition,"
Boris Johnson said
“My friend, Prime Minister Narendra, my (special friend), we’ve had a fantastic few days here in India... I have never seen such a joyful reception... I felt like Sachin Tendulkar upon my arrival and also like Amitabh Bachchan. I was everywhere to be seen.”
—BORIS JOHNSON
“PM Boris Johnson’s visit to India during ‘Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ is historic... In the last few months, India has concluded Free Trade Agreements with UAE and Australia. At the same pace, with the same commitment, we want to move forward on FTA with the UK as well.”
—NARENDRA MODI