James Cleverly said India-UK Free Trade Agreement can deliver practical benefits for businesses in both countries….reports Asian Lite News
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Wednesday said that the India-UK Free Trade Agreement can and must deliver practical, real-world benefits for businesses in both countries and that this will give a strong message to the world that the two countries are committed to building closer partnerships.
“FTA can and must deliver practical, real-world benefits for businesses in both of our countries. It will also send a strong signal to the whole world that our two great countries are committed to building even closer partnerships with each other,” Cleverly said. Cleverly was addressing the gathering at the Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) Special Plenary Session of India Europe Business and Sustainability Conclave in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal also attended the session.
Cleverly during his address said that UK and India, the 6th and 5th largest economies in the world respectively, must work closely together to contribute to the world’s economic security and prosperity.
“Today, we’re living through a period of geopolitical competition. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent shockwaves through global economy and across the world and we’re seeing the ripple effect of that in food prices, energy prices, global insecurity,” the UK Foreign Secretary said during the session.
He further added: “I am also going to echo the wise words of Prime Minister Modi who was right when he said to Putin, “today’s era is not an era of war.” Vladimir Putin must listen to those words and heed those words. Sadly, he is not doing so yet.”
He said that in times of social and economic turbulence, trusted partners need to work even closely together.
Piyush Goyal while addressing the session said that developed and developing countries must have different goals and timelines while being sensitive to each other’s needs, potential goals and roadmap towards sustainability.
Goyal highlighted that India has been one of the top 5 performers when it comes to benchmarking our work and meeting the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
‘Technology, finance and sustainable lifestyles are going to play an important role in ensuring sustainable growth’, he opined.
Goyal urged world leaders to recognize that everyone must contribute their fair share in improving energy efficiency, reducing waste, boosting the circular economy and in achieving green goals by transitioning and helping other nations transition to green growth to make the world a better place to live in. “India’s partnership with the UK and the EU is significant in the global effort to make the planet safer and greener,” he said.
BBC tax issue
EAM Jaishankar firmly replied to FM Cleverly, who raised the issue of searches on BBC offices in India and said that all the entities operating in India “must comply fully with relevant laws and regulations.”
“He was firmly told that all entities operating in India must comply fully with relevant laws and regulations,” sources stated quoting Jaishankar. While meeting with Jaishankar, Cleverly raised the issue of searches on BBC offices in India.
Cleverly is currently in India to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and brought up the issue of the BBC tax searches during his meeting with Jaishankar, sources told ANI.
In February this year, Income Tax authorities conducted searches at the offices of the British broadcaster in New Delhi and Mumbai.
Speaking to ANI in an exclusive interview, Cleverly said that BBC is an independent organisation and is separate from the UK Government.
“I didn’t see the documentary but I’ve seen reactions in UK and India. BBC is an independent organisation and separate from the government. I enjoy a strong personal relationship with Dr Jaishankar…relationship between UK-India growing stronger by the day,” said Cleverly when asked about the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The BBC had in January this year released the documentary film titled ‘India: The Modi Question,” which features the Gujarat riots of 2002. The film caused controversy for alluding to the leadership of Modi as chief minister during the riots while disregarding the clean chit given by the Supreme Court.
Cleverly: UK respects India’s judgement on Russia ties
United Kingdom Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, on Wednesday, said that he respects India’s judgement to have bilateral relations with Russia.
“For the UK, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is unacceptable. We’re helping to defend the UN charter, sovereignty and territorial integrity. We hope this war comes to a swift conclusion. I respect India’s judgement to have bilateral relations with countries of its choice,” UK Foreign Secy said while talking to ANI. Recently, the Russia-Ukraine conflict marks its first anniversary on February 24, 2023. The United Kingdom, on February 8, announced a new round of sanctions against the Russian military and Kremlin elites.
“In total the UK’s sanction package hits 6 entities providing military equipment such as drones for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as 8 individuals and 1 entity connected to nefarious financial networks that help maintain wealth and power amongst Kremlin elites,” UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office announced in a statement.
Meanwhile, in an interview with ANI in Delhi, Cleverly talked about the violent attacks on Indians in the UK. He said that United Kingdom’s police and security services are paying close attention to the attacks against Indians and assured that action against any illegal activity.
“We take the security of people very seriously, our police and security services always pay close regard to such activities and if it is an illegal activity, we act upon it,” Cleverly said.
Pro-Khalistan groups have time and again resorted to violent protests outside the High Commission of India in London. Recently, on February 18, anti-India slogans were raised outside Indian High Commission in London. The Khalistani supporters not just raised Pro-Khalistani slogans but also chanted anti-India slogans outside the Indian High Commission.
He also said that India’s G20 presidency was quite exciting, it has fantastic opportunities. This is a great opportunity to talk about sustainable economic agenda and green agenda.
Speaking on India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), James Cleverly said that the UK does much business with India and is working extensively. He said that he would be meeting India’s trade secretary to make sure this trade agreement really benefits both countries & unlocks billion of pounds of bilateral trade.
British Foreign Secretary said that the issue of searches on BBC offices in India was raised with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during a bilateral meeting today.
Cleverly brought up the issue of the BBC tax searches during his meeting with Jaishankar, sources told ANI.
He was firmly told that all entities operating in India must comply fully with relevant laws and regulations,” according to sources.
In February this year, Income Tax authorities conducted searches at the offices of the British broadcaster in New Delhi and Mumbai.
Speaking to ANI in an exclusive interview, Cleverly said that BBC is an independent organisation and is separate from the UK Government.
“I didn’t see the documentary but I’ve seen reactions in UK and India. BBC is an independent organisation and separate from government. I enjoy a strong personal relationship with Dr Jaishankar…relationship between UK-India growing stronger by the day,” said Cleverly when asked about the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (ANI)