External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will depart on a six-day trip to the United Kingdom and Ireland on Tuesday with the intent of increasing bilateral interaction between the two nations.
The journey will start from London, where Jaishankar will sit down with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The discussions will probably cover a range of issues, from bilateral to regional to global issues.
Of particular note will be whether the two leaders meet to address the current conflict in Ukraine, especially in light of recent tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that have dominated the world’s attention. Barely a week after the bitter exchanges, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer invited a European leaders’ summit to London, pledging efforts towards a peace agreement to stop the war in Ukraine.
Jaishankar and Lammy will also be required to discuss the ambitious India-UK free trade pact. India and the UK resumed last month negotiations for this prospective pact when British Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds visited New Delhi.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized India’s overall strategic partnership with the UK, while mentioning cooperation in areas like defense, security, trade, health, education, and cultural exchanges.
Apart from encounters with Lammy, Jaishankar will have meetings with dignitaries and members of the Indian diaspora. His itinerary is in Ireland where he will meet Irish Foreign Minister, Simon Harris, and other members from 6-7 March.
The trip is set to rekindle friendly relations of India with both Ireland and the UK, and it emphasizes India’s focus on enhancing contacts.
