Rishi Sunak is the UK’s first Prime Minister of Indian descent
New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke with the new British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Prime Minister Modi and his British counterpart discussed the need for an early conclusion of a balanced free trade agreement between India and the UK.
“Delighted to speak to Rishi Sunak today. Congratulations on his appointment as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. We will work together to further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. We also agreed on the importance of early conclusion of a comprehensive and balanced FTA,” Prime Minister Modi wrote on Twitter this evening, referring to the negotiations on a free trade agreement, or so-called free trade agreement. FTAs.
Nice to talk to @RishiSunak today. Congratulations to him on assuming the position of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. We will work together to further strengthen our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. We also agreed on the importance of early conclusion of a comprehensive and balanced FTA.
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 27, 2022
Mr. Sunak tweeted “thank you” and tagged PM Modi.
“Thank you Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the kind words as I begin my new role. The UK and India share so much. I am very excited about what our two great democracies can. achieved as we deepen our security, defense and economic partnership in the months and years to come,” said Britain’s first Indian-British Prime Minister and youngest leader to hold a top office. in the UK for over 200 years.
Thank you Prime Minister @NarendraModi for your kind words as I begin my new role.
The UK and India share a lot. I am excited about what our two great democracies can achieve as we deepen our security, defense and economic partnership in the months & years to come. pic.twitter.com/Ly60ezbDPg
– Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) October 27, 2022
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will also travel to India on Friday for talks with Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar. The two sides will discuss strengthening diplomatic ties, the British Foreign Office said today.
Trade Secretary Greg Hands yesterday said Britain had completed the majority of parts of its free trade agreement with India but would only sign off on it when satisfied that it was fair and reciprocal.
“We have concluded most of the chapters and are looking forward to the next round of negotiations shortly,” Mr. Hands told parliament. The government previously said it wanted to finalize the deal in Diwali, a deadline passed earlier this week.
The UK’s controversial Home Secretary Suella Braverman, a hardline Indian and Brexiteer leader who has opposed a more generous visa policy for immigrants, has come forward in favor of an FTA between India and Britain in an attempt seen as an attempt to defuse tensions. its policy stance.
Ms. Braverman had earlier expressed “concern” about Britain’s trade deal with India. In an interview, she said she feared the deal would increase migration to the UK, as Indians already represent the largest group of people who have overstayed their visas.
At a Diwali event organized by the Global Forum of India in London on Tuesday, Ms. Braverman said the UK had “deeply enriched by immigration from India” – a group she called “excessive people”. visa term”.
“Naturally, there is an economic requirement for our nations to work together, that is why we are so eager to achieve this,” said Braverman, according to the Press Trust of India. get a commercial deal”.
India and the UK aim to increase bilateral trade to $100 billion by the end of the decade.
