On Monday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar engaged in discussions with UK Minister Lord Tariq Ahmad, addressing various topics including the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). EAM also raised concerns about the vandalism of the Indian High Commission by Khalistani elements in March and emphasized the UK’s responsibility to ensure the security of Indian diplomatic missions.
In a tweet, EAM expressed, “Had a meeting with UK MOS Lord @tariqahmadbt today in New Delhi. We discussed a wide range of issues, from FTA and South Asia to Indo-Pacific and G20. Emphasized the need to safeguard the security of our diplomatic missions and prevent the misuse of democratic freedoms.”
Lord Ahmad, the UK’s Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, UN, and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, is currently visiting India from May 27-31 with a focus on strengthening science, research, and innovation ties. He is meeting senior Indian ministers and officials, including Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, and G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, in addition to EAM Jaishankar.
During his visit, Lord Ahmad is exploring historic cultural sites and advanced research facilities in Jodhpur, New Delhi, and Hyderabad. He is also engaging with senior officials from the Indian government.
Following the removal of the Indian flag by Khalistani supporters outside the Indian High Commission in London, India summoned the highest-ranking UK diplomat in New Delhi on March 19. India expressed strong protest and demanded an explanation for the lack of British security that allowed the intrusion into the Indian High Commission premises. India criticized the UK government’s indifference to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK, demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators and the implementation of stringent measures to prevent such incidents from recurring.
Lord Ahmad’s visit to India includes the announcement of the winners of the UK-India Health-Tech Bootcamp, fostering collaboration between the healthcare and startup communities of both nations. This visit aims to accelerate UK-India cooperation in the fields of science, technology, and health, building upon a significant agreement on science, research, and innovation signed by the two countries in April.
