Jaishankar Meets UK Foreign Secretary, Reviews India-UK Cooperation

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met newly appointed UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband in Manila on Thursday and discussed ways to further strengthen India-United Kingdom relations following the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries across key areas.

Sharing details of the meeting, Jaishankar said the discussions focused on building upon the positive momentum created by the recent India-UK trade agreement. In a post on X, he congratulated Miliband on his appointment as Foreign Secretary and said both sides agreed to work towards strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing shared priorities.

Jaishankar had earlier congratulated Miliband after his appointment, expressing confidence in further enhancing cooperation between India and the UK. He highlighted the progress made in bilateral ties in recent years, including the entry into force of the economic agreement aimed at boosting trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.

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Ed Miliband was appointed as the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs after serving as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero between July 2024 and July 2026. He became a Member of Parliament for Doncaster North in 2005 and has held several senior political positions during his career.

The meeting comes after India and the UK implemented the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and the accompanying Agreement on Social Security. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had earlier described the agreements as a major milestone in bilateral relations, stating that the pact would provide expanded market access and strengthen economic cooperation between the two nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also welcomed the implementation of the agreements, describing it as an important moment in the India-UK partnership. He said the pacts would deepen economic connections and create new opportunities for businesses, workers and investors in both countries while supporting cooperation in areas including trade, technology, defence and people-to-people relations.

The latest diplomatic engagement reflects continued efforts by both nations to advance their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. India and the UK are expected to focus on expanding collaboration under their shared Vision 2035, with economic ties and strategic cooperation remaining key areas of engagement.

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