India and UK reaffirm co-operation at high-level dialogue

New Delhi, May 11: Friday’s Foreign Office Consultations between India and the United Kingdom resolved to step up cooperation in the key areas of maritime security, counter-terrorism and climate change. It also helped to enhance the bilateral relations more. The Indian side was led by Shri Vijay Gokhale, Foreign Secretary and the UK side was led by Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under-Secretary, Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK Government.

 

The Consultations provided an opportunity to review the entire range of bilateral relations, including political, economic, commercial, scientific, regional and international cooperation, including Commonwealth.

They expressed satisfaction on the level of political exchanges and decided to further intensify them in the coming months. Both sides agreed to increase their collaboration in the fields of Indo-Pacific, Disaster resilience, climate change and development in 3rd countries, amongst other areas.

The instrument of ratification of the UK joining the International Solar Alliance was formally handed over during the Consultations.

 

It marks 12 months of progress across trade, tech & security since the two Prime Ministers met in UK in April 2018.

 

The two countries have, over the past year, identified specific areas to work together as a force for good, for example on a global coalition on climate resilience, on disaster relief and on development. Bilateral trade has grown by 14%, and visas for Indian students have increased by 35%.

 

“Over the next decade, India and the UK will be ever more central players in global debates on security, development and protecting our planet. I’m delighted that, together, we are tackling these issues head-on as partners - reinforcing our two Prime Ministers’ desire to act as a joint ‘Force for Good’ in the world,” says the British statement.