UK Minister of State for South Asia Lord Tariq Ahmad is set to visit India from May 27 to 31. During his visit, he will focus on deepening the ties between the two nations in terms of science and innovation. The visit follows after the agreement signed in April between India and UK in the sectors of science, research and innovation.
Lord Tariq Ahmad will meet with some of India’s top officials including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, and G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant during his trip. He will visit important historical and high-tech research sites in Jodhpur, New Delhi and Hyderabad and convene with various government officials.
The British High Commission in India has stated that solidifying the relationship between UK and India is a “key pillar” of the nation’s long-term foreign policy as part of their enduring engagement in the Indo-Pacific set out in the Integrated Review Refresh. It also points to the UK and India’s negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement which just concluded its ninth round of negotiations from April 24-28 and which is expected to bolster their current £36 billion trading partnership.
Lord Tariq Ahmad expressed his enthusiasm for building upon the UK-India Roadmap 2030, deepening the collaboration between the nations in terms of science and technology. He has indicated reviews of education, sustainability, and gender equality with female emerging leaders while in Rajasthan and will be launching English Skills for Youth program, co-developed by the British Council and Microsoft India, to facilitate job opportunities for younger generations.
The British High Commission in India has played a key role in strengthening the relationship and ties between the United Kingdom and India. They have facilitated negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries and have supported the launch of initiatives to help further develop the partnership. The British High Commission in India also plays a key role in facilitating the visits of British officials to India to help build upon the UK-India relationship.
As UK Minister of State for South Asia, Lord Tariq Ahmad seeks to solidify and further the relationship between the UK and India using his visit and offer further insight into how science, research and innovation can bring the two nations closer together. He also aims to leverage the UK’s standing as an independent trading nation by increasing trade and investment opportunities and further championing free-trade while in India.
