Politics

PM Modi, UK PM Truss agree on ‘vital importance’ of India-UK bilateral ties

PM Modi and UK PM Liz Truss agreed on the ‘vital importance’ of bilateral ties in a phone call on Saturday

September 11, 2022

PM Modi calls UK PM Truss, leaders discuss ties

In their first phone call since British Prime Minister Liz Truss assumed office, Truss spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday and agreed on the “vital importance” of the India-UK bilateral relationship. The two leaders said they looked forward to meeting in person in the near future.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his condolences on the death of Queen Elizabeth II on behalf of all Indians and paid tribute to the 96-year-old late monarch’s “lifetime of service”. The British PM spoke to PM Modi this afternoon, following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, Downing Street said in a readout of the phone call.

“The Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Modi for his heartfelt condolences, which he said were on behalf of 1.3 billion Indians. The leaders acknowledged the grief felt by the many people of the UK and India, and paid tribute to Her Majesty the Queen’s lifetime of service, the statement said.

UK and India are in the midst of negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA), with a Diwali deadline set by Truss’ predecessor Boris Johnson for the completion of a draft agreement.

Liz Truss who took formal charge at 10 Downing Street on Tuesday with an audience with the late Queen, has previously said she remains committed to an FTA with India and hopes it would “preferably” be completed by Diwali in October or by the end of this year.

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.