He was in fact addressing the India Global Forum in London from New Delhi.
India and UK are considering an interim trade deal Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Thursday that amid talks on a free trade agreement (FTA).
Addressing the India Global Forum (IGF) in London virtually from New Delhi, Mr Shringla said the visit of British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, which is expected over two days starting Friday, will give further impetus to the partnership. As it coincides with the UK Carrier Strike Group (CSG) reaching Mumbai for a joint exercise.
“We are negotiating a free trade agreement as things stand. We are also looking at an interim trade deal,” Mr Shringla said.
Read also | India, Australia to sign free trade agreement by the end of 2022: Tehan
“Foreign Secretary Liz Truss’s visit is planned to coincide with the UK Carrier Strike Group’s docking in Mumbai,” he said.
The Foreign Secretary said that his counterpart Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under Secretary in the UK’s Office of Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth and Development (FCDO) is expected to take forward trade talks in India soon.
“We have to be very optimistic. Things have really accelerated, and we should be very excited,” said Mr. Barton, who addressed the stage virtually.
“The real opportunity lies with the UK’s place in the world. We have left the EU and are in charge of our international trade and commercial policy and changing the way we approach migration to this country,” he said.
In terms of areas of India-UK cooperation, Mr Shringla highlighted financial markets, people-to-people ties through the new Migration and Mobility Partnership, the first consular talks expected soon.
“Security and defense cooperation is high on the agenda, including maritime security, cyber security, health partnerships, digital health, medical supply chain, alternative health and science and technology,” he said.
“We had a disastrous [COVID-19] wave but since then we’ve done everything we can to protect it from the effects of covid Global pandemic… Today is a milestone for India’s vaccination programWe have crossed one billion doses and this is the biggest insulation we have against the pandemic,” he said.
In the context of the UN COP26 climate summit hosted by the UK in Glasgow next month, the foreign secretary said India would participate with a strong message and also expected promises of projected finance to meet the ambitious climate goals.
He added: “We are probably the only G20 country that has completed our NDCs [Nationally Determined Contributions] and defeated them. Our Prime Minister has said that India will not only meet its goals but will go beyond them. And, he has spoken to Prime Minister Boris Johnson. We intend to move forward with a strong message of full commitment to COP26.”
“To meet these ambitious goals, developing countries will need climate financing, access to green technology. We need more than commitments, we need promises – predictable and consistent financing.” The India Global Forum, being held at the Taj Hotel in London, is a one-day series of dialogues, organized by the UK-based India Inc Group, to explore the theme of “Quantum Leap” in UK-India relations from various sectors. are experts. As laid out in the roadmap for bilateral relations in 2030 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Boris Johnson.
“When you look at what is in the UK-India partnership, the quantum leap is very relevant,” Mr Shringla said.
.