PM Modi and King Charles III Discuss Strengthening India-UK Partnership
On December 19, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with King Charles III, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They discussed climate action, the Commonwealth, and the upcoming festive season. Notably, they emphasized the importance of technology collaboration and the ongoing Roadmap 2030 aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in key sectors.
On December 19, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a conversation with King Charles III of the United Kingdom, during which both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to enhancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UK. According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the discussion included insights about the Commonwealth of Nations and recent developments from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Samoa.
The dialogue extended to significant matters of common interest, particularly focusing on climate action and sustainability. Prime Minister Modi commended King Charles III for his continuous advocacy on these pivotal issues and briefed him on India’s initiatives in this domain. Additionally, both leaders exchanged festive greetings for the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations, with Modi expressing his wishes for the King’s health and well-being.
The India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was established during a virtual summit on May 4, 2021, between Prime Minister Modi and then British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, alongside the formulation of a Roadmap 2030 meant to guide cooperation over the following decade. Since that agreement, high-level meetings have consistently evaluated the Roadmap’s progress, including discussions led by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who visited New Delhi on July 24, 2024, to confer with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
During these discussions, both parties expressed satisfaction with the advancements made and indicated their intent to elevate bilateral cooperation further, particularly in key areas such as trade and investment, defense and security, migration and mobility, as well as technology-centric fields. Notably, Prime Minister Modi welcomed the intention to finalize a mutually advantageous Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and highlighted the understanding to initiate a Technology Security Initiative (TSI), aimed at reinforcing collaborations in critical and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
This TSI, overseen by the National Security Advisors of both nations, aims to enhance cooperation in several key sectors, from critical minerals to semiconductors, and will involve both existing and newly established mechanisms for technology collaboration. Furthermore, a bilateral framework, spearheaded by India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the UK government, is set to promote trade in these crucial technological areas.
The dialogue between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and King Charles III arises from the growing relationship between India and the United Kingdom, particularly encapsulated by the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership forged in 2021. This partnership aims to facilitate deeper cooperation across multiple sectors and enhance collaboration for mutual benefit, especially in areas of trade, technology, and climate action. The ongoing partnership signifies prominent geopolitical and economic ties, further enriched by initiatives fostering technology security and bilateral trade growth.
In conclusion, the conversation between Prime Minister Modi and King Charles III underscores the commitment of India and the UK to reinforce their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both leaders emphasized the significance of cooperation in areas such as climate action, mutual trade relations, and emerging technologies. The forthcoming initiatives and agreements reflect the intent to pave the way for sustained collaboration and heightened ambition in their bilateral relationship over the next decade, exemplified by the Roadmap 2030 and the introduction of the Technology Security Initiative.
Original Source: www.indianewsnetwork.com
