New Delhi: The External Affairs Minister (EAM) of India, S. Jaishankar, will be on an official visit to the United Kingdom and Ireland from March 4 to March 9, as announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
According to an official statement by the MEA, “India and the UK share a comprehensive strategic partnership that has strengthened across various sectors. During the visit, the External Affairs Minister will hold discussions with his counterpart, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and will meet several other dignitaries along with members of the Indian community.”
Visit to Ireland on March 6-7
The statement further highlighted that “India and Ireland enjoy cordial bilateral relations based on shared democratic values, cultural ties, and growing economic relations. During his visit to Ireland on March 6-7, the External Affairs Minister will meet his Irish counterpart, Simon Harris, along with other prominent figures and members of the Indian community.”
The visit is expected to enhance India’s friendly relations with both the UK and Ireland. Notably, Jaishankar and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy previously met in November last year in Rome before the G-7 Foreign Ministers’ Outreach Session, where India was invited as a guest country.
Strengthening India-UK Strategic Partnership
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer participated in the G-20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the India-UK comprehensive strategic partnership. During the meeting, PM Modi announced the establishment of two new Indian Consulates in Belfast and Manchester, describing his discussion with Starmer as “highly productive.”
Following the meeting, Prime Minister Modi stated, “The comprehensive strategic partnership with the UK is of great significance for India. In the coming years, we aim to collaborate in areas such as technology, green energy, security, innovation, and trade. Additionally, we seek to strengthen our cultural ties alongside trade relations.”
