Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra’s official visit to the United Kingdom for the 16th round of Foreign Office Consultations was a significant step towards strengthening bilateral relations between India and the UK. During his visit, Kwatra met with key officials including Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and discussed various aspects of cooperation.
The discussions covered a wide range of topics including trade and economic cooperation, defense and security, science and technology, people-to-people ties, energy, climate change, and health. Both sides expressed their commitment to raising the level of ambition and further enhancing bilateral cooperation in these areas.
The meeting also reviewed the progress made on the UK-India 2030 Roadmap, which outlines the strategic direction for the bilateral relationship in the coming years. The roadmap includes commitments to deepen cooperation on health, climate, trade, education, science and technology, and defense.
The visit also included discussions on the UK-India Free Trade Agreement, migration, and the Commonwealth. Lord Tariq Ahmad, the UK’s Minister for South Asia, expressed his delight at hosting Foreign Secretary Kwatra and emphasized the UK’s commitment to deepening cooperation with India.
Overall, the visit was a positive step towards strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UK. The next round of Foreign Office Consultations is scheduled to take place in New Delhi in 2025, further highlighting the commitment of both countries to enhancing their bilateral relationship.