British Foreign Secretary David Lammy met External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar in New Delhi on Saturday at the start of a two-day official visit aimed at advancing India-U.K. cooperation in trade, defence, and strategic technologies.
During the delegation-level talks, Dr. Jaishankar described the recently finalised India-U.K. Free Trade Agreement and the Double Contribution Convention as “truly a milestone,” saying they would boost two-way trade and investment while strengthening supply and value chains.
He reaffirmed India’s firm stance against terrorism, stating the country follows a policy of zero tolerance and expects international partners, including the United Kingdom, to fully understand and support this principled approach.
Dr. Jaishankar said both nations had made significant progress since Lammy’s last visit, particularly through the launch of the Technology Security Initiative for deeper collaboration in key sectors such as AI, semiconductors, quantum tech, telecom, health-tech, and critical minerals.
He also noted the establishment of the Strategic Exports and Technology Cooperation Dialogue, which held its first meeting earlier this week. The platform, he said, would help resolve regulatory and licensing issues in critical and emerging technologies.
The External Affairs Minister highlighted the India-U.K. Infrastructure Finance Bridge as a major step in facilitating quality long-term capital flows from the U.K., contributing directly to India’s infrastructure development and sustainable economic growth.
On the education front, Dr. Jaishankar said bilateral ties are strengthening, with more British universities planning to set up campuses in India, a move expected to boost academic collaboration and deepen people-to-people linkages.
He further noted the recent opening of Indian consulates in Manchester and Belfast, calling it a significant step in enhancing diplomatic presence and better serving the Indian community in the United Kingdom.
Lammy’s visit comes as both sides look to elevate their strategic partnership, with trade, innovation, and global security featuring high on the agenda. The talks signal growing momentum in India-U.K. ties across multiple domains.