PM Narendra Modi, Boris Johnson holds bilateral talks

PM Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Boris Johnson on Monday met in Glasgow and discussed regional and global challenges including Afghanistan, Counter-Terrorism, Indo-Pacific, supply chain resilience and post-Covid global economic recovery.

The meeting on the sidelines of the COP26 World Leaders Summit in Glasgow also allowed the two leaders to review the implementation of the Roadmap 2030 priorities particularly in the trade and economy, people-to-people, health, defence and security areas, according to an official statement.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the progress in delivering the Enhanced Trade Partnership including steps taken towards the launch of FTA negotiations. The two PMs held a virtual summit in May and agreed on a wide ranging issues including early harvest trade deal and mobility arrangement.


It may be recalled that during UK Foreign Secretary’s India visit, New Delhi had asked London to use its good offices to ensure that the Afghan territory is not used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist attacks against another nation.

It may be noted that U.K. Chief of the Defence Staff General Nicholas Carter had a direct channel of communication with Pakistan and had praised the Taliban in the past making UK an important stakeholder in the Af-Pak theatre.

Besides cross-terror from Afghanistan, the need for full, safe and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance was discussed when Foreign Minister S Jaisankar met his UK counterpart Liz Truss and Gen Carter here last month. The visit coincided with the visit of UK’s aircraft carrier to India.

Modi congratulated Johnson for successfully organising the COP26 and for his personal leadership in championing global action for climate change mitigation and adaptation, according to the official statement.

He reiterated India's commitment to closely work with the UK on climate finance, technology, innovation and adaptation green hydrogen, renewables and clean technologies including joint initiatives under ISA and CDRI.

Johnson was invited to visit India soon.