UK Foreign Secretary Lammy Deepens India Ties After £25 Billion FTA

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited New Delhi to strengthen the UK-India strategic partnership following the recent signing of a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries. The FTA, expected to raise bilateral trade by over £25 billion annually, aims to boost economic growth, increase UK GDP, and improve wages, while simplifying trade procedures for goods such as whisky, cars, and machinery. During his visit, Lammy held discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to explore further opportunities for economic growth, trade expansion, and cooperation on counter-terrorism. Lammy expressed condolences over the recent Pahalgam terror attack and reiterated the UK's support for India's fight against terrorism. The visit also set the stage for a forthcoming trip by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to India to formally sign the FTA and further solidify bilateral ties. Overall, both nations emphasized the importance of deepening economic, trade, and security cooperation as part of a broader comprehensive partnership.