India, UK agree to `Comprehensive Strategic Partnership` |
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson have adopted an ambitious `Roadmap 2030` and agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a `Comprehensive Strategic Partnership`. The Roadmap will pave the way for a deeper and stronger engagement over the next ten years in the areas of the people to people contacts, trade and economy, defence and security, climate action and health. In a virtual Summit held on 4th May, the two leaders discussed the Covid-19 situation and ongoing cooperation in the fight against the pandemic, including the successful partnership on vaccines. Modi thanked Johnson for the prompt medical assistance provided by the UK in the wake of the severe second wave of COVID-19 in India. Johnson appreciated India`s role in extending assistance to the UK and other countries over the last year, including the supply of pharmaceuticals and vaccines. The two Prime Ministers launched an `Enhanced Trade Partnership` to unleash the trade potential by setting an ambitious target of more than doubling bilateral trade by 2030. As part of the ETP, India and the UK agreed on a roadmap to negotiate a comprehensive and balanced FTA, including consideration of an Interim Trade Agreement for delivering early gains. The enhanced trade partnership will generate several thousands of direct and indirect jobs in both countries. A new India-UK `Global Innovation Partnership` was announced at the Virtual Summit that aims to support the transfer of inclusive Indian innovations to select developing countries, starting with Africa. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation on new and emerging technologies, including Digital and ICT products, and work on supply chain resilience. They also agreed to strengthen defence and security ties, including in the maritime, counter-terrorism and cyberspace domains. India and the UK also launched a comprehensive partnership on migration and mobility that will facilitate greater opportunities for the mobility of students and professionals between the two countries.
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