In a meeting with Oliver Robbins, Permanent Under-Secretary (PUS) at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri expressed India’s gratitude to the UK government for expressing solidarity and support to New Delhi in the fight against terrorism on Tuesday.
The talks took place in New Delhi during the first Strategic Exports and Technology Cooperation Dialogue and the 17th India-UK Foreign Office Consultations (FOC).
India is a Comprehensive Strategic Partner (CSP) with the United Kingdom. The FOC offered a chance to examine and talk about every aspect of bilateral relations. The Double Contribution Convention and the India-UK Free Trade Agreement were welcomed by both parties. “In order to deepen and diversify our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, FS and PUS discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment and financial sector, defense and security, counter-terrorism, technology, science, innovation, green energy, climate, health, education, and people-to-people relations,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
The most recent FOC took place in London in May 2024. The first meeting of the Strategic Exports and Technology collaboration Dialogue (SETCD), which aims to resolve export controls in order to facilitate increased technology collaboration in strategic sectors, was also held by both parties.
“FS expressed India’s gratitude to the UK government for showing solidarity and backing for India in the war on terror. According to the MEA, FS and PUS also discussed topics of mutual interest on a regional and international level, such as the developments in West Asia, the Indo-Pacific, and Russia-Ukraine.
In January 2025, Robbins was named FCDO’s Permanent Under-Secretary. In his capacity as PUS, he leads the UK’s Diplomatic Service and serves as the Foreign Secretary’s top policy adviser. The PUS is in charge of running the FCDO in the UK as well as its high commissions and embassies abroad.
“I’m thrilled to be in India to support the development of one of the UK’s most important international alliances. Both governments have huge aspirations to advance this alliance in an increasingly complex environment. Following the high-level discussion in New Delhi, Robbins stated, “I’m excited to work with Foreign Secretary Misri to make that a reality.”
Both nations praised the major progress made since last year’s London consultations on the partnership’s whole scope, including the announcement of the historic trade agreement, according to the British High Commission in New Delhi.
“The UK government’s top priority is economic growth. “Over the next ten years, both agreed to work towards implementing the two prime ministers’ shared vision for an ambitious partnership between the UK and India,” the British High Commissioner said.
On May 6, the UK and India reached a historic trade agreement that will reshape the partnership for the coming generation by fostering employment, enhancing economic ties, and bringing about shared prosperity. It is anticipated that the agreement will add an additional £25.5 billion to bilateral trade, which is currently valued at £43 billion.
Robbins is anticipated to engage with numerous Indian government partners during his visit, including those on home affairs and the G20.
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