External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar (EAM) is set to embark on an official visit to the United Kingdom and Ireland from March 4 to 9, as announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday.
"India and the UK have a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that has grown across various sectors, such as defense, security, trade, economy, health, education, and people-to-people exchanges. EAM will hold talks with his British counterpart, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and meet other senior officials and members of the Indian diaspora during his visit," said the MEA.
The ministry also highlighted the close bilateral relationship between India and Ireland, which is founded on common democratic values, cultural affinity, and increasing economic cooperation. "While on his trip to Ireland from March 6-7, EAM will meet with Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris, among other key players and leaders from the Indian diaspora. The trip is likely to consolidate India's warm relations with both Britain and Ireland," the statement further said.
Jaishankar and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy had earlier met in Rome last November prior to the G7 Foreign Ministers' Outreach session, organized by Italy, where India had attended as a guest country.
"Welcome the sustained momentum in the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Exchanged on further strengthening cooperation in technology, green energy, trade, mobility, and ongoing developments in the Indo-Pacific and West Asia," Jaishankar posted on X after meeting Lammy on November 25.
Their talks came in the immediate aftermath of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer having met on the margins of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, during which both leaders reaffirmed their resolve to deepening the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
During the meeting, PM Modi also made an announcement for the opening of two new Indian Consulates General in the UK, in Belfast and Manchester. Calling his discussions with Starmer "extremely productive," Modi reaffirmed India's intent to build on cooperation with the UK.
"For India, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the UK is very important. In the coming years, we eagerly anticipate close cooperation in fields like technology, green energy, security, innovation, and trade. Deepening cultural links is also a priority," PM Modi said after his meeting with Starmer.
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