PM Modi holds talks with British counterpart Boris Johnson

INDIA-BRITAIN-DIPLOMACY
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) shakes hands with his British counterpart Boris Johnson before a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on April 22, 2022. (Photo by Prakash SINGH / AFP)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his visiting British counterpart Boris Johnson on Friday held extensive talks with an aim to further expand cooperation in areas of defence, trade and clean energy.

Ahead of the talks, the UK said it will offer India the best of British know-how on building battle-winning aircraft and support the country's requirements for new technology to respond to threats in the Indian Ocean.

In a statement, the British High Commission said the UK will issue an Open General Export Licence (OGEL) to India to cut the delivery period for defence procurement.

The British prime minister arrived in India on Thursday on a two-day visit in the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war.

"The world faces growing threats from autocratic states which seek to undermine democracy, choke off free and fair trade and trample on sovereignty.

PTI04_22_2022_000093B
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands withBritish Prime Minister Boris Johnsonduring the latter's ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi,Friday, April 22, 2022. (PIB/PTI Photo)

The UK's partnership with India is a beacon in these stormy seas," Johnson was quoted as saying by the high commission.

"Our collaboration on the issues that matter to both our countries, from climate change to energy security and defence, is of vital importance as we look to the future," he said.

In a tweet, Johnson said he was looking forward to meeting Modi.

PTI04_21_2022_000037A
Boris Johnson tries his hands on a spinning wheel during a visit to the Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram. Photo: PTI

"Wonderful to see you, my friend PM @BorisJohnson in India on a long-awaited visit. Look forward to our discussions today," Modi said in a tweet in his response.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on Johnson.

"Delighted to call on UK PM @BorisJohnson during his India visit. Discussed our expanding partnership and implementing the #IndiaUK Roadmap 2030," Jaishankar tweeted.

In its statement, the high commission said Johnson will also discuss with Modi new cooperation on clean and renewable energy aimed at supporting New Delhi's energy transition away from imported oil.

INDIA-BRITAIN/
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi gesture before their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, April 22, 2022. Ben Stansall/Pool via REUTERS

The India-UK relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the India-UK virtual summit held between Modi and Johnson in May last year.

At the summit, the two sides adopted a 10-year-roadmap to expand ties in the key areas of trade and economy, defence and security, climate change and people-to-people connections among others.  

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Onmanorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.