British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s two-day hurricane visit to India came to an end Friday with a packed set of deliverables as he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an in-person summit for the first time.
Giving a push to the two countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was announced at their last virtual summit in May 2021, Modi and Johnson decided to expand India-UK defence collaboration during their meeting Friday, including joint production and co-development of fighter jets and next-generation jet engine technology.
The two sides have also instructed their respective officials to conclude the negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) by “Diwali”, while tariff issues continue to pose challenges.
“Teams of both countries are working on the subject of the Free Trade Agreement. Good progress is being made in the negotiations. And we have decided to make full efforts towards the conclusion of the FTA by the end of this year,” said Modi.
Modi also said, “We have also agreed to enhance cooperation in the defence sector. We welcome the UK’s support for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ in all sectors of manufacturing, technology, design, and development in the defence sector.”