India & UK adopt 'Roadmap 2030' in key sectors

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a virtual summit on Tuesday. An ambitious 'Roadmap 2030' was adopted at the summit to elevate the bilateral ties to a 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership'. The Roadmap will pave the way for a deeper and stronger engagement over the next 10 years in the key areas of people-to-people contacts, trade and economy, climate action, defence and security as well as health.

India and the UK enjoy long-standing friendly Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a virtual summit on Tuesday. An ambitious 'Roadmap 2030' was adopted at the summit to elevate the bilateral ties to a 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership'. The Roadmap will pave the way for a deeper and stronger engies and share a 'Strategic Partnership' underpinned by mutual commitment to democracy, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, strong complementarities and growing convergences.

The two leaders discussed the COVID-19 situation and ongoing cooperation in the fight against the pandemic, including the successful partnership on vaccines. Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Johnson for the prompt medical assistance provided by the UK in the wake of the severe second wave of COVID-19 in India. Prime Minister Johnson appreciated India's role in extending assistance to the UK and other countries over the last year, including by way of supply of pharmaceuticals and vaccines.

The two Prime Ministers launched an 'Enhanced Trade Partnership' (ETP) to unleash the trade potential between the fifth and sixth largest economies of the world and by setting an ambitious target of more than doubling bilateral trade by 2030. As part of the ETP, India and the UK also 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 between India and UK will generate several thousands of direct and indirect jobs in both the countries.

The UK is India's second largest partner in research and innovation collaborations. 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.

Both the Prime Ministers also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, and G7. They reiterated commitment to climate action to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and agreed to closely engage in the run up to CoP26 hosted by the UK later this year.

India and the UK launched a comprehensive partnership on migration and mobility that will facilitate greater opportunities for the mobility of students and professionals between the two countries.

The Prime Minister expressed his desire to be able to welcome Prime Minister Johnson in India as per his convenience after the situation stabilizes. Prime Minister Johnson also reiterated his invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit UK for the G-7 Summit. (PIB)

Also Watch: Moran local administration initiates COVID testing drive in market places

Also Read: India may see a Third Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic, No Point in having Weekend Lockdowns or Night Curfews: Dr. Guleria