India, UK Agree To New Defence & Security Partnership. PM Modi Calls Boris Johnson's Visit 'Historic'

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

PM Modi and his United Kingdom counterpart Boris Johnson at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

Source : PIB

New Delhi: Britain and India on Friday agreed to their new defence and security partnership as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Boris Johnson held delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House in the national capital.

During a joint statement, PM Modi said that Boris Johnson's visit to India during 'Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' is "historic".

At the event, both leaders witnessed the exchange of agreements between India and the United Kingdom.

"We expressed our commitment to fulfilling promises made during the last COP 26. We invite the UK to join India's National Hydrogen Mission," PM Modi said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

The leaders reviewed the progress made in the implementation of Roadmap 2030 and also set some goals for the future.

PM Modi mentioned that good progress is being made in negotiations for India-UK free trade agreement and said, "We have decided to do our best to conclude India-UK free trade agreement by end of this year," news agency PTI reported.

#WATCH | Delegation-level talks between PM Modi and British PM Boris Johnson are underway at Hyderabad House in Delhi pic.twitter.com/UyM3SqsV0A

— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2022

"We emphasised the need for a free, open, inclusive and rules-based order in Indo-Pacific. We reiterated the importance of respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries," he added.

PM Modi also mentioned the concerns on Afghanistan saying, "It is necessary that Afghan territory is not used to spread terrorism in other countries. We reiterated our support for peaceful, stable and secure Afghanistan".

Agreed On New And Expanded Defence, Security Partnership: Boris Johnson

Meanwhile, British PM Boris Johnson announced: "We have agreed on a new and expanded defence and security partnership", PTI reported.

He said that India and UK had "wonderful talks today and have strengthened our relationship in every way." "The partnership between India and Britain is one of the defining friendships of our times," he added, as quoted by ANI.

The British Prime Minister further stressed that "since last year, the threats of autocratic coercion have grown even further, therefore it is vital we deepen our cooperation including our shared interest in keeping the Indo-Pacific open and free."

"Shared interests in keeping the Indo-Pacific region free, open and rule-based. Agree to combat threats on air, space and maritime. Taking steps for sustainable homegrown energy. This visit has deepened our relationship," Boris Johnson said.

"The UK is creating an India-specific open general export license reducing bureaucracy and reducing delivery times for defence procurement," he added.

On India-UK FTA, Boris Johnson said that the UK has asked its negotiators to get it done by Diwali.

He also mentioned that a discussion was held on global developments, "We insisted on dialogue and diplomacy in Ukraine for an immediate ceasefire and resolution of the problem."

#WATCH | Discussion held on global developments. We insisted on dialogue and diplomacy in Ukraine for an immediate ceasefire and resolution of the problem, PM Modi said after the India-UK bilateral talks pic.twitter.com/xFlUvNCMLe

— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2022

The British Prime Minister arrived in Ahemadabad on Thursday on a two-day India visit in the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Ahead of the talks, the UK stated 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.

Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister also 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.

Delighted to call on UK PM @BorisJohnson during his India visit.

Discussed our expanding partnership and implementing the #IndiaUK Roadmap 2030. pic.twitter.com/T4RgznvJFE

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 22, 2022

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.