Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar is on an official visit to the United Kingdom and Ireland until March 9. During his visit, he will engage in high-level discussions aimed at strengthening and deepening India's diplomatic and strategic ties with both nations.
The Ministry of External Affairs stated that India and the UK share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which has grown across key sectors, including defence, trade, health, education, and cultural ties. Jaishankar’s visit coincides with the planned relaunch of India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations in New Delhi, set to resume shortly.
As we went to press on Tuesday March 4, Dr Jaishankar had reported to have met Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds to discuss progress on the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Sharing on Instagram, he wrote, “Pleased to meet Secretary of State for @biztradegovuk Jonathan Reynolds today in London. Discussed the progress on our FTA talks." He also met Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss talent mobility, people-to-people exchanges, and joint efforts against trafficking and extremism.
Sources revealed Dr Jaishankar had also met Foreign Secretary David Lammy at Chevening House to advance the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Their talks spread over two days (March 4 and 5) will focus on economic growth, technological collaboration, and global challenges, including climate change, the Ukraine war, and the Middle East crisis.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasised strengthening UK-India ties, calling it a key part of the government's ‘Plan for Change’. He highlighted efforts to boost the £41 billion trade relationship following talks in Delhi, noting it as a starting point for greater economic collaboration. Lammy also welcomed India's new consulates in Belfast and Manchester, underscoring their role in deepening ties, supporting the Indian community, and driving growth across the UK.
Ministers are also meant to discuss the Technology Security Initiative, launched during the Foreign Secretary’s Delhi visit in July 2024, focusing on AI, telecoms, and critical minerals. The visit also highlights UK-India ties with a special reception for Chevening scholars at Chevening House, celebrating India’s status as the largest Chevening programme host.
On March 5 evening, Dr Jaishankar will participate in a recorded session at Chatham House titled ‘India’s Rise and Role in the World’—a rare departure from the institution’s usual off-the-record format. On March 8, he will inaugurate the new Indian Consulate in Manchester, joined by UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West, Indian High Commissioner H.E. Vikram Doraiswami, and Deputy Mayor of Manchester Kate Green.
During his visit to Ireland on March 6-7, Dr Jaishankar will meet Foreign Minister Simon Harris, other dignitaries, and the Indian community. India and Ireland share warm bilateral ties rooted in democratic values, cultural connections, and growing economic cooperation.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit will further strengthen India's partnerships with both the UK and Ireland.
He will also inaugurate India’s new consulate in Belfast, expanding its diplomatic footprint in the UK alongside existing consulates in Birmingham and Edinburgh. This move aims to strengthen ties with Northern Ireland. Notably, this marks the first high-level Indian visit to Ireland since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Dublin in 2015.
Jaishankar's UK and Ireland visit comes at a time of shifting geopolitics, with India positioning itself as a key global player while navigating complex relations with the US, Europe, Russia, and Ukraine.
