India, UK reaffirm 2030 roadmap commitments at high-level dialogue in London

New Delhi, May 18: Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra paid an official visit to the United Kingdom from May 16-17, 2024, for the 16th round of Foreign Office Consultations with Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

This marked the 16th India-UK Foreign Office Consultation. During the annual UK-India Strategic Dialogue on May 17, Kwatra and Barton reflected on the progress made on the UK-India 2030 Roadmap since the last dialogue in January 2023.

In a tweet, the Indian High Commission in London shared, "Foreign Secretary @AmbVMKwatra & PUS @PhilipRBarton chaired the 16th India-UK Foreign Office Consultation in London.

They welcomed strong progress on the 2030 Roadmap and discussed the way forward to intensify our comprehensive strategic partnership. They also discussed major global & regional issues."

Philip Barton echoed this sentiment in his tweet: "Today I met my Indian counterpart @ambVMKwatra to discuss the UK-India 2030 Roadmap. Delighted to see the progress our two countries have made in addressing global challenges and deepening our strategic partnership."

During his visit, Foreign Secretary Kwatra also held meetings with Lord Tariq Ahmad, Minister of State for the Foreign Office; James Cartlidge, Minister of State for Defence Procurement; Sir Tim Barrow, National Security Adviser; Matthew Rycroft, Permanent Secretary of the UK Home Office; Crawford Falconer, Chief Trade Negotiator; and Professor John Bew, Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to the UK Prime Minister.

The discussions covered the full spectrum of bilateral relations and global issues of mutual interest. Kwatra and Barton conducted a detailed review of the 2030 Roadmap.

They acknowledged significant progress across all areas and agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade and economic affairs, defence and security, science and technology, people-to-people ties and mobility, energy, climate change, and health.

India and the United Kingdom share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, strengthened through regular high-level political exchanges and meetings of bilateral institutional mechanisms. It was agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in 2025 in New Delhi.

In another official tweet, the Indian High Commission reported, "Amb Kwatra had a productive meeting with the UK PUS Home Office @MatthewRycroft1. They discussed ways to ease legal migration while curbing illegal flows. They recognized the need to further enhance cooperation in tackling extremism and terrorism." Additionally, Kwatra met UK National Security Advisor, Sir Tim Barrow to discuss key areas of bilateral ties and the broader geopolitical security landscape. India after Protests outside their High Commission has identified a few persons that India has been demanding to be deported to India. However, both countries were silent on the issue and discussion on the topic.

According to a press release from the UK, the two their meeting celebrated achievements such as collaborating on the world’s first malaria vaccine, supporting India's successful G20 Presidency, and increasing opportunities for students and entrepreneurs under the Migration and Mobility Partnership. This year’s dialogue also reaffirmed commitments to negotiate a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and enhance defence cooperation.

The press release further added that Kwatra's visit also included a meeting with Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister for South Asia, to discuss the FTA, migration, and the Commonwealth. Lord Ahmad remarked, "We are delighted to host Indian Foreign Secretary Kwatra in London to underline the UK’s commitment to deepening cooperation with India. I look forward to our relationship going from strength to strength, working together on trade, defence, climate, and health."

Background

In 2021, the UK and India set ambitious plans for the next decade of their bilateral relationship with the 2030 Roadmap. This roadmap includes commitments to deepen cooperation on health, climate, trade, education, science and technology, and defence. One of the key ongoing issues is negotiating a comprehensive and ambitious Free Trade Agreement.

Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and then Prime Minister Boris Johnson met virtually on May 4, 2021, agreeing on a common vision for a new and transformational Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the UK and India, and adopting the ambitious India-UK Roadmap to 2030 to guide cooperation for the next decade.