Politics

PM Modi holds telecon with PM Sunak; both agree on need for early conclusion of FTA

PM Modi and Sunak reviewed the progress on a number of bilateral issues as part of the India-UK Roadmap 2030

April 14, 2023

PM Modi raises the security of High Commission with British counterpart Rishi Sunak

In a telephone conversation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Rishi Sunak agreed on the need for an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

Official sources said that both PM Modi and Sunak reviewed the progress on a number of bilateral issues as part of the India-UK Roadmap 2030. They expressed satisfaction at the recent high-level exchanges and growing cooperation, particularly in trade and economic sectors.

Modi also raised the issue of economic offenders who have sought refuge in the UK. He sought progress on the return of these fugitives so that they can appear before the Indian judicial system.

Modi invited Sunak for the G20 summit to be held in September 2023.

The British Prime Minister appreciated the progress made under India’s presidency of the G20 and reiterated the UK’s full support of India’s initiatives and their success.

The discussions between the two Prime Ministers on the FTA have occurred amid reports in certain sections of British media that India had threatened to stall trade talks over the attack on its High Commission’s office in London last week.

Both sides later denied the reports.

In fact, sources said that during his conversation with Sunak, Modi raised the issue of the security of Indian diplomatic establishments in the UK and called for strong action against anti-India elements by the UK government.

Sunak conveyed that the UK considers the attack on Indian High Commission totally unacceptable and assured of the security of the Indian mission and its personnel.

[With Inputs from IANS]

PGurus is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with all the latest news and views

For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.