UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy Visits India to Strengthen Trade and Diplomatic Ties

Britain’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, has arrived in India to engage in crucial talks with ministers and business leaders. This visit marks an important step in the UK’s efforts to reset its relationship with India and the broader Global South.

Lammy has hailed India as “an indispensable partner” in the UK government’s initiatives to bolster economic growth and address climate change challenges. With India’s economy poised to become the third-largest in the world, the newly elected Labour government, led by Sir Keir Starmer, is keen to secure a free trade agreement to enhance economic ties.

Lammy’s visit, only three weeks into the Labour administration, underscores the strategic importance of India in the UK’s foreign policy and trade agenda. As the UK looks to stimulate economic growth, fostering stronger business relations with India is seen as a key priority.

Negotiations for a free trade agreement with India have been stalled for months despite ongoing discussions over the past two years. In contrast, India successfully signed a free trade agreement with Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein in March, highlighting the potential for non-EU states to establish robust economic partnerships with India.

Lammy emphasized that the UK’s commitment to securing a trade deal with India is a foundational step in Britain’s broader ambitions. “Reinforcing the UK’s commitment to secure a deal would be a floor, not a ceiling, to Britain’s ambitions,” he stated.

Under the former Conservative government, sources indicated that trade talks with India had reached their “final but trickier” stages. Achieving a trade deal with India is viewed as one of the most significant potential agreements for the UK post-Brexit.