- Monday, February 24, 2025
The duo will stress in India that the Asian country ‘is a prime example of how Labour’s policies will work towards support Keir Starmer’s goal of positioning the UK as a nation with the highest sustained growth among the G7 countries,
By: Shubham Ghosh
SHADOW foreign secretary David Lammy MP and shadow business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds MP on Monday (5) embarked on a three-day trip to India. Their main objective during the visit is to engage in discussions with counterparts and business leaders regarding Labour’s proposals for establishing a new ‘UK-India strategic partnership.’
During their stay in India, Lammy and Reynolds will emphasise that “India is a prime example of how Labour’s foreign, industrial, business and trade policy will work hand in glove” to support Labour leader Keir Starmer’s goal of positioning the UK as a nation with the highest sustained growth among the G7 countries, a press release by the Labour said.
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India’s projected ascent to the position of the world’s third-largest economy by 2030 underscores the significance of fostering stronger ties between the two nations, especially for the post-Brexit UK. The Labour Party has accused the Conservative government of failing to deliver the anticipated UK-India free trade agreement (FTA), which former prime minister Boris Johnson had promised would be delivered by Diwali 2022.
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The Labour MP duo will meet senior Indian leaders such as external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar; commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal and information technology and telecoms minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi. They will also hold talks with senior business leaders from India, including those from the Essar Group, Tata Consultancy Services, Piramal Group, HDFC besides visiting BSE, formerly Bombay Stock Exchange in Mumbai.
Labour’s proposed strategic partnership with India will use a future FTA as a starting block to build a closer partnership on technology, economic, climate and global security.
Lammy and Reynolds will also highlight Labour’s plans to build a Clean Power Alliance with international partners, leveraging diplomatic influence to help drive the clean energy transition across the globe.
“For too many years, the Conservative government have overpromised and undelivered on the UK’s relationship with India. We still haven’t seen the trade deal that was promised by Diwali 2022,” Lammy and Reynolds said in Delhi.
“Labour will offer a fresh approach. India is a prime example of how Labour’s foreign, industrial, business and trade policy will work hand in glove to help deliver Keir Starmer’s mission to make the UK the country with the highest sustained growth in the G7.
“Labour’s ambition for working with India does not stop with a trade deal. India is on track to become the world’s third largest economy by 2030 and Labour is committed to deepening our relationship for the modern era. We are in Delhi discussing the need for a new UK-India strategic partnership that focuses on new and green technologies, economic security, domestic security and global security.”
