PM Modi Congratulates New UK Prime Minister, Discusses India-UK Relations
India-UK leaders discuss stronger strategic partnership.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Friday discussed strengthening bilateral relations and agreed to take the India-United Kingdom Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to "new heights." During a phone conversation, the two leaders reviewed key areas of cooperation and highlighted opportunities emerging from the recently operationalised India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.
PM Modi congratulated Burnham on assuming office as the UK Prime Minister and extended his best wishes for a successful tenure. In a social media post, Modi said both leaders agreed to work together across multiple sectors, including technology, innovation, defence, security, clean energy, education and people-to-people connections. He also emphasised the importance of fully utilising trade and investment opportunities created by the new bilateral trade agreement.
The Prime Minister said stronger economic cooperation between India and the UK would contribute to the shared prosperity and well-being of people in both countries. He noted that the trade agreement would open new avenues for businesses, investors and communities while further deepening the economic partnership between the two nations.
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According to a British government readout, Burnham highlighted the long-standing strength of the UK-India relationship and its positive impact on communities across Britain. He expressed his ambition to further expand ties through initiatives such as the UK-India Vision 2035 framework and stronger people-to-people connections.
The two leaders also discussed the role of the Indian diaspora in strengthening relations between the countries. Burnham praised the contribution of Indian communities to British society, while Modi highlighted the connection between their respective cities of Manchester and Ahmedabad, describing Ahmedabad as the "Manchester of India" due to its historic textile industry.
The conversation comes as India and the UK seek to deepen cooperation in areas ranging from trade and investment to technology and defence. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to building a stronger partnership and ensuring that the benefits of closer cooperation reach citizens of both countries.
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