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Review of counter-terror strategy to tackle threats

London, United Kingdom. The flags at Number 10 Downing Street have been lowered to half mast after the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 10 Downing Street. Picture by Rory Arnold / No 10 Downing Street

The update will take into account a series of important reviews, including the second volume of the Manchester Arena Inquiry, set to be published next week…reports Asian Lite News

The government will carry out a wholesale refresh of the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy, to protect its citizens from new, emerging and persistent threats.

In the UK and overseas, there has been a shift towards self-initiated terrorists operating independently from organised groups with increasingly personal ideologies, warped views used to justify violence.

The tactics and methodologies used by terrorists are diversifying and becoming increasingly fragmented.

To meet those threats, the counter-terrorism strategy (CONTEST) will be updated to reflect these new challenges. This will involve seeking a diverse range of views and engaging security experts from across the UK and overseas, so that CONTEST continues to robustly protect the British public from terrorist threats.

Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat, said, “Terrorists seek to divide us and sow hatred. We will not let them. Our commitment to the values we cherish is too strong. But as the nature of terrorism continues to evolve and endure, so must we. We will ensure that our response to the terror threat continues to be world-leading and ensure we have a strategy that allows people to go about their lives freely and with confidence.”

The update will take into account a series of important reviews, including the second volume of the Manchester Arena Inquiry, set to be published next week.

In addition, the findings from the Independent Review of Prevent, led by William Shawcross, will strengthen the government’s ability to stop individuals being drawn into terrorism in the first place.

The government will do everything possible to strengthen the UK’s protection against terrorist attacks.

This includes a renewed commitment to introduce the Protect Duty, which will enhance the safety of public venues while avoiding placing additional burden on small businesses.

The UK counter-terror system already encompasses the efforts of more than 20 government departments and agencies.

Since 2017 alone, more than 200 recommendations have been implemented in response to terrorist attacks, including the creation of the world’s first multi-organisational Counter Terrorism Operations Centre, in London in June 2021.

Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Matt Jukes said, “Since its launch in 2003, CONTEST has proved to be an enduring and effective strategic framework for the UK’s counter terrorism response, but it shouldn’t stand still. Today’s threat is dominated by increasingly fragmented ideologies, self-initiated terrorism, and the reach of hateful online ideologies into the lives of the young people.”

It is vital that any future strategy reflects these learnings and also looks forward to the collaborations we will need in the future to keep people safe.

Counter Terrorism Policing, uniquely, has made an evolving contribution to all four pillars of the CONTEST strategy and will continue to be at the heart of our preparedness for the terrible moments when attacks happen.

The government expects to publish an updated and enhanced version of CONTEST next year. In the meantime, it will continue to deliver a counter-terror strategy to keep the public safe.

ALSO READ-Need zero tolerance to all forms of terror, says Murmu

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Anger over Sunak’s COP27 snub

Rishi Sunak.(photo:instagram/Twitter)

Instead of attending COP27, Sunak will speak at a reception for business and environmental leaders to be hosted by the king at Buckingham Palace this Friday, two days before COP27 begins…reports Asian Lite News

Rishi Sunak’s decision to snub the COP27 UN climate talks has angered countries around the world.

Several countries are in dismay. Carlos Fuller, Belize’s ambassador to the UN, said: “I can understand why the king was asked not to attend – keeping him out of the fray. However, as the principal UK policymaker and the COP26 president, the PM should have led the summit. It seems as if they are washing their hands of leadership.”

Sunak’s reason for not going – to concentrate on Britain’s economic statement – was questioned. Mohamed Nasheed, speaker of the Maldives parliament and former president, said: “[It’s] very worrying that the UK thought there was anything more serious than climate change. You can count the pennies but might lose the pounds.”

Developed countries were also concerned. One senior government aide said: “It appears as if the new UK prime minister wants to wash his hands of the previously strong role the government played on international climate action. It’s another stab in the back for [COP26 president Alok] Sharma.”

The COP26 talks in Glasgow last November, headed by Boris Johnson and chaired by cabinet minister, Alok Sharma, ended with a global consensus on limiting temperature rises to 1.5C for the first time, a major diplomatic achievement that was widely lauded. Sunak attended and led discussions on climate finance, likely to be a major issue at COP27.

Instead of attending COP27, Sunak will speak at a reception for business and environmental leaders to be hosted by the king at Buckingham Palace this Friday, two days before COP27 begins. But his failure to attend the talks has raised concerns over the UK’s stance on the climate crisis, with the government handing out new oil and gas licences and tax breaks for increasing fossil fuel production.

Sunak could also be upstaged in his absence by his former boss: the Observer revealed that Johnson hopes to attend the COP27 summit, following the precedent set by formers leaders including Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.

One Commonwealth diplomat said: “For all Boris Johnson’s ills, no one can reasonably accuse him of ignoring or not prioritising climate action. The UK has benefited from the leadership of Alok Sharma and Lord Goldsmith.

“One hopes [Sunak’s stance] is not a backsliding of the positions the UK has taken in recent years on both areas.”

It is unusual for the head of state of an important Cop not to attend the handover. After convening the landmark Paris agreement of 2015, French president François Hollande was warmly received at the following UN climate Cop, in Marrakech, the Guardian reported.

The UK still holds the presidency of the UN negotiations, until the reins are handed over to the Egyptian government at the COP27 summit in Sharm El-Sheikh. This puts the British government in a key position in the long-running climate talks, and the prime minister would normally be expected to hold closed-door bilateral meetings with counterparts around the world, focusing on the climate but including other subjects, such as the Ukraine war and the global economic crisis.

Rachel Kyte, a former senior World Bank official who is now dean of the Fletcher school at Tufts University in the US, and a close observer of Cops, said the war in Ukraine and the UK’s geopolitical relations were also key reasons to go.

“A lot of the world is sitting on the sidelines, impacted by the war but not throwing in its lot with our defence of values in Ukraine,” she said. “We need to be with them on what is important for them if we want them with us on what is important for us. You can’t build relationships unless you turn up.”

Leaders including Egypt’s Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Emmanuel Macron of France, the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and UN secretary-general, António Guterres, will play key roles at Cop27. There is a question mark over US president Joe Biden, who faces midterm elections, but his special envoy John Kerry will be at the talks throughout.

The Egyptian government voiced “disappointment” at Sunak’s decision.

Paul Bledsoe, a former Clinton White House climate adviser now with the Progressive Policy Institute in Washington DC, pointed to a global failing by right-wing leaders on the climate crisis. “No priority is more important than climate change, which is a meltdown of the actual world, not just the vanity of Tory politics,” he said. “Conservative governments around the world, especially America’s radical Republican party, have got to get their heads out of the sand.”

ALSO READ-Sunak faces ‘Labour’ heat over Braverman pick

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Sunak faces ‘Labour’ heat over Braverman pick

Newly appointed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak leaving No10 Downing Street for his first Prime Ministers Questions at the House of Commons. 10 Downing Street. Picture by Rory Arnold / No 10 Downing Street

Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats have raised “national security” concerns over the appointment, as well as called for a Cabinet Office probe….reports Asian Lite News

Labour is urging the government to publish its assessments of Suella Braverman’s security breach following her controversial reappointment as UK home secretary just six days after she was forced out, local media reported.

New Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is under growing pressure over reinstating Braverman as home secretary after a former party chair claimed she had committed “multiple breaches” of the ministerial code, Sky News reported.

He has so far resisted demands to launch an inquiry after she shared a sensitive document with a Tory backbencher from a personal email without permission, Sky News reported.

Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats have raised “national security” concerns over the breach, as well as called for a Cabinet Office probe.

Labour will try to push ministers to share risk assessments of this and other alleged leaks, as well as the information given to Sunak before he reinstalled her at the Home Office, with a “humble address” motion in Parliament.

Braverman has so far refused to appear before MPs to explain the circumstances surrounding what happened.

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman cannot keep running away from these questions. It is far too serious for that, and raises serious doubts about the prime minister’s judgement.

suella braverman

“People need to know they can trust the Home Secretary with highly sensitive information and our national security. Rishi Sunak’s decision to reappoint Suella Braverman was deeply irresponsible.

“Labour will use every parliamentary mechanism open to force government to come clean over her reappointment, to get answers and to require detailed documents to be released to the Intelligence & Security Committee”, Sky News reported.

Braverman resigned from her post just over a week ago after using her personal email address to forward sensitive government documents, breaking the rules that ministers have to abide by.

ALSO READ: UK Parliament Celebrates J&K Accession Day

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Britain prioritising India trade deal, says Cleverly   

James Cleverly said after a meeting with his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar in New Delhi that ties between the two countries would improve further under Rishi Sunak…reports Asian Lite News

Britain is prioritising reaching a free-trade agreement with India, its foreign minister told Reuters on Saturday in his first visit to the country, but declined to give a new deadline after missing one this month.

James Cleverly said after a meeting with his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar in New Delhi that ties between the two countries would improve further under Rishi Sunak, who this week became Britain’s first prime minister with Indian roots.

“I had a fantastic opportunity to talk about some incredibly important global issues, but also to talk about the strength of the bilateral partnership and about our plans to work more closely with India,” Cleverly said in an interview at the residence of the British High Commissioner.

He declined to say what was holding up the trade deal, which both of Sunak’s predecessors in a turbulent few months in British politics, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, had hoped would be signed by Monday’s festival of Diwali.

Cleverly also declined to say whether it could be finalised this year.

“But this is an important agreement for us and one that we are really prioritising and one that we will continue to ensure that our officials and our ministers speak about regularly and work hard to deliver,” he said.

“We’ve got a lot of work done. And it’s incredibly important that we remember that an extensive free trade agreement like the one we’re negotiating, it’s never going to be simple, but it’s an incredibly important vehicle to build on our already strong relationship and to make it really future-focused.”

Previous sticking points included a steep import duty on British whiskey for sale in India. New Delhi is also keen on easier British visa for Indians.

Cleverly said “we want to make sure that our visa arrangements are quick and are easy, convenient”.

The countries want to double bilateral trade by 2030, from more than $31 billion now.

Asked about a G7 plan to cap Russian oil prices and its bid to get countries such as India to agree to it, Cleverly said Britain would not set New Delhi’s foreign policy. India and Russia have close defence ties and India has become a big buyer of Russian oil since the Ukraine war started.

“I don’t think it would be right for me as a British politician to dictate policy to another country,” he said.

Jaishankar meets Cleverly

The Ukraine conflict and the situation in Indo-Pacific figured prominently in talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and visiting British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.

Cleverly arrived in India on Friday on a two-day visit primarily to attend a special meeting of the UN Security Council Counter Terrorism Committee. “Delighted to welcome UK Foreign Secretary @JamesCleverly on his first India visit; shortly after our meeting in New York last month,” Jaishankar tweeted.

“Noted the progress in our Roadmap 2030. Also discussed the Ukraine conflict and the Indo-Pacific,” he added.

It is the first visit by a top-ranking official from Britain after Rishi Sunak took charge as the UK’s first Indian-origin prime minister on Tuesday.

During the visit, the British foreign secretary announced further collaboration between the UK and India through British International Investment.

This included 11 million Pound of UK funding invested in Kinara Capital, a woman-led fintech company, according to the British High Commission.

British International Investment is designed to strengthen trade ties with the UK’s partners and generate economic growth.

The high commission said Cleverly also announced a 22 million pounds investment by the UK-backed Neev II Fund into Hygenco which will help India’s green energy transition by pioneering green hydrogen.

India hosted the meeting of the UN Security Council Counter Terrorism Committee in its capacity as its chair.

While the first day’s meeting took place in Mumbai on Friday, second day’s deliberations were in Delhi on Saturday. 

ALSO READ-Russia says British forces blew up Nord Stream; UK denies claim

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Russia says British forces blew up Nord Stream; UK denies claim

Explosions near Nord Stream pipelines as gas leaks into Baltic Sea.(Photo/Danish Defence)

But it had not previously given specific details of who it thinks was responsible for the damage to the pipelines, previously the largest routes for Russian gas supplies to Europe…reports Asian Lite News

British navy personnel planted explosives and blew up the Nord Stream gas pipelines last month, Russia’s defence ministry says, a claim London called false and designed to distract from Moscow’s military failures in Ukraine.

Russia did not give evidence for its allegation that a leading NATO member had sabotaged critical Russian infrastructure amid the worst crisis in relations between the West and Moscow since the depths of the Cold War.

The Russian ministry alleged “British specialists” from the same unit that directed Ukrainian drone attacks on ships from the Russian Black Sea fleet in Crimea earlier on Saturday were responsible for the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage.

“According to available information, representatives of this unit of the British Navy took part in the planning, provision and implementation of a terrorist attack in the Baltic Sea on September 26 this year – blowing up the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines,” the ministry said.

The United Kingdom denied the accusation.

“To detract from their disastrous handling of the illegal invasion of Ukraine, the Russian ministry of defence is resorting to peddling false claims of an epic scale,” the British defence ministry said.

“This invented story says more about arguments going on inside the Russian government than it does about the West.”

Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for Russia’s foreign ministry, said Moscow will seek a reaction from the United Nations Security Council, saying on social media it wanted to draw attention to “a series of terrorist attacks committed against the Russian Federation in the Black and Baltic Seas, including the involvement of Britain in them”.

Russia, deeply isolated by Western nations since its February 24 invasion of Ukraine, has previously blamed the West for the explosions that ruptured the Russian-built Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines on the bed of the Baltic Sea.

But it had not previously given specific details of who it thinks was responsible for the damage to the pipelines, previously the largest routes for Russian gas supplies to Europe.

A sharp drop in pressure on both pipelines was registered on September 26 and seismologists detected explosions, triggering a wave of speculation about sabotage to one of Russia’s most important energy corridors.

Sweden and Denmark have concluded that four leaks on Nord Stream 1 and 2 were caused by explosions, but have not said who might be responsible. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has called the damage an act of sabotage.

Sweden ordered additional investigations to be carried out into the damage, the prosecutor in the case said in a statement on Friday.

The Kremlin has repeatedly said allegations of Russian responsibility for the blasts were “stupid”, and Russian officials have said Washington had a motive as it wants to sell more liquefied natural gas to Europe.

The United States has denied involvement.

Russia has said Western countries have not allowed it to take part in international investigations of the explosions. Instead, it has for weeks hinted its security services have a different version of what caused the blasts.

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne expressed scepticism over the Russian accusations. “There is an investigation under way and I give no credence to what was said this morning,” she told reporters.

The Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines have a joint annual capacity of 110 billion cubic metres – more than half of Russia’s normal gas export volume.

Sections of the 1,224km (760 miles) long pipelines, which run from Russia to Germany, lie at a depth of about 80-110 metres (262-361 feet).

ALSO READ-British Navy blew up Nord Stream: Russia

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British Navy blew up Nord Stream: Russia

Explosions near Nord Stream pipelines as gas leaks into Baltic Sea.(Photo/Danish Defence)

The accusation follows the Russian Foreign Ministry’s claim that NATO conducted a military exercise during the summer, close to the location where the undersea explosions occurred

Britain’s Royal Navy played a part in orchestrating and staging the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Saturday, the media reported.

The accusation follows the Russian Foreign Ministry’s claim that NATO conducted a military exercise during the summer, close to the location where the undersea explosions occurred, RT reported.

Writing on its official Telegram channel, the ministry alleged that Royal Navy operatives “took part in planning, supporting and implementing” a “terrorist attack” to blow up the gas pipelines on September 26.

According to the Defence Ministry, the same British operatives were involved in the training of Ukrainian military personnel who recently attacked ships of Russia’s Black Sea fleet, which were implementing a grain deal between Russia and Ukraine, brokered by the UN and Turkey, RT reported.

Russian President Vladimir Putin with Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu. (Photo: Twitter@mod_russia)

The pipelines, which were built to deliver Russian natural gas directly to Germany, abruptly lost pressure on September 26, following a series of underwater explosions off the Danish island of Bornholm.

Both Western countries and Russia sounded the alarm about the incident, with Moscow denouncing it as a terrorist attack and calling for an investigation into the matter.

In late September, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted that this summer, NATO conducted military drills not far from Bornholm, which featured intensive use of “deep-sea equipment”.

Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal, citing German officials familiar with the investigation, reported that the blasts which damaged the pipelines were caused by sabotage.

While the officials stopped short of naming the culprit, they were said to be “working under the assumption that Russia was behind the blasts”.

Moscow has repeatedly denied that it had anything to do with the incident, RT reported.

Meanwhile, Sky News has cited a UK defence official as saying Nord Stream 1 and 2 could have been damaged by a remotely detonated underwater explosive device.

At that time, the broadcaster said the pipelines might have been breached by mines lowered to the seabed, or explosives dropped from a boat or planted by an undersea drone.

ALSO READ: Russia deploys US-trained Afghan commandos in Ukraine

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We must starve terrorists of funds: Cleverly

The UK Foreign Secretary also called on countries to work together to fight online terrorism – including global terror recruitment campaigns.

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly addressed the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee in New Delhi on Saturday and stressed the need to curb the exploitation of emerging technologies and starving terrorists of the vital funds used in terror activities.

Speaking at the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee in New Delhi, he called on countries to work together to fight online terrorism – including global terror recruitment campaigns.

“We have made tacking illicit finance a core pillar of our cooperation with international partners like the UAE,” he said on ‘Countering the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes’.

“If we are to keep our people safe, we must comply with human rights and we must continue to work together and with all parts of our communities to discredit the narratives of hate, to counter radicalisation… to foil plots, to starve terrorist of the finances and the emerging technologies that they would use, to do us harm,” he added.

Terming terrorism as a global problem and a global threat, UK Foreign Secretary started off his address by thanking External Affairs Minister Jaishankar for using India’s Security Council presidency to focus on this crucial issue.

On the emerging technologies, Cleverly said, within the space of just two decades, terrorists have gone from circulating crackly voice recordings from the depths of Tora Bora to global online recruitment and incitement campaigns to live-stream attacks.

To counter this threat posed by technologies, UK Foreign Secretary said Britain also working with the G7 and Global Internet Forum to counter terrorism. “We continue to press tech companies amongst whom are also the internet’s biggest players to crack down even harder on the extremist content online,” he added.

Cleverly said his country has taken a host of measures in recent years to combat terrorism such as, setting up the Counter Daesh Communication Cell in London and launching a counter-unmanned aircraft strategy.

“We are funding new counter-drone technologies and working through the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum to ensure that we do more to stop terrorists from misusing drones,” he added.

It comes after he paid his respects on Friday at the Taj Palace Hotel in Mumbai, to those who lost their lives in the city’s 2008 terror attack, including three British nationals.

During the visit, the UK Foreign Secretary announced further collaboration between the UK and India through British International Investment.

The UK Foreign Secretary is due to meet minister Jaishankar today to discuss the latest on the 2030 Roadmap, the landmark commitment to boost cooperation between the UK and India over the next decade. (ANI)

ALSO READ: New UK PM will not live in 10, Downing Street

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Britons slam Noah’s ‘racist backlash’ claims against Sunak

Earlier this week, Sunak, 42, became the first British Asian Prime Minister in history and the youngest in more than 200 years…reports Asian Lite News

Britons have slammed US talk show host and comedian Trevor Noah, who took a hilarious dig at them saying, “racists” were offended by Prime Minister of colour Rishi Sunak.

In the two-minute 52 second clip from The Daily Show, titled “Unpacking the Backlash to Rishi Sunak”, and viewed more than a million times, Noah is seen targeting British people who he claims were unhappy with Sunak’s appointment due to his Indian heritage.

Former UK Chancellor Sajid Javid slammed the clip on Twitter, saying: “Simply wrong. A narrative catered to his audience, at a cost of being completely detached from reality.”

“Britain is the most successful multiracial democracy on earth and proud of this historic achievement,” Javid tweeted.

In the video posted on his Twitter handle, Noah played a clip from a British radio show in which a caller explained why a non-white person should not be the Prime Minister of UK, to which Noah replied: “This is a good point. Can you imagine white English people trying to rule countries where no one looks like them!”

In his sarcastic best, Noah further said: “This could be a good thing for you people. After 400 years, you finally get to legitimately blame a brown person for your country’s problems. You’re living the dream!”

“Dear America. There is no racist backlash against Sunak. Vast majority have no issue.

“He was recently the most popular politician in the UK! Racist abuse is confined to a small fringe who are amplified on Twitter, mirrored in a small fringe who think everybody in the West is racist,” said Politics professor Matthew Goodwin, who took to Twitter to denounce Noah’s claims.

“This is absolutely barking mad. A fantasy ‘backlash’ based upon nothing more than projection and wish-fulfilment,” Sunday Times columnist Alex Massie tweeted.

Earlier this week, Sunak, 42, became the first British Asian Prime Minister in history and the youngest in more than 200 years.

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer “welcomed” the appointment of Sunak as “the first British Asian Prime Minister”, describing it as a “real milestone for our country”.

“3 women PMs and now our first person of colour, old enough to have seen them all and love it… Good luck, Rishi, what a great country we live in, not sure what planet Trevor Noah inhabits or observes,” a twitter user from UK, Muiry29, wrote.

The funnyman from South Africa had recently announced that he is stepping down as the host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show in the US.

ALSO READ-Jaishankar headed for Moscow

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Sunak defends Braverman pick

. Newly Appointed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak holds his first Cabinet Meeting the morning after assuming office. 10 Downing Street. Picture by Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street

This was in contrast with Truss’s term, whose sweeping tax cut plan raised fears about the country’s fiscal health, triggering a crash in markets and the pound…reports Asian Lite News

Rishi Sunak on Wednesday defended the reappointment of party colleague Suella Braverman as the home secretary, ruled out an early election, and indicated “difficult decisions” will be taken soon for the economy, deflecting attacks from the Opposition in parliament on his first full day as premier.

Sunak and his Conservative Party have been under pressure to call general elections, not due until 2024, as Britain got its third PM in less than two months, with each taking significantly different policy lines than their predecessor.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt – retained in Sunak’s cabinet along with several other senior ministers – said that Monday’s planned “medium-term fiscal statement” was no longer so pressing.

Instead, there will be a full budget statement on November 17 to lay out the new government’s tax and spending plans, Hunt told reporters. Markets were unperturbed by the postponement, suggesting Hunt and Sunak have successfully calmed investors’ nerves.

This was in contrast with Truss’s term, whose sweeping tax cut plan raised fears about the country’s fiscal health, triggering a crash in markets and the pound. 

In addition to the economic challenge that Sunak’s administration faces, he will also need to balance internal party politics and the international commitments. The key concern here stems from his induction of Braverman in one of the top four ministerial posts.

Braverman, 42, resigned from the cabinet of former prime minister Truss last week, having breached the ministerial code by sending secure information from her private email. Starmer asked Sunak: “Was the home secretary right to resign last week for a breach of security?” He noted that Sunak has promised to govern with “integrity, professionalism and accountability”, but points out that he has put in charge of the Home Office a woman forced to leave her job just a week ago.

“Have officials raised concerns about his decision to appoint her?” Starmer asked Sunak. On the issue of the reappointment of Braverman, Sunak said she made “an error of judgement,” but she had recognised the “mistake”.

Countering the Labour leader, Sunak said Braverman will be focused on “cracking down on criminals” and “defending borders”, while the party in opposition (Labour) remains “soft on crime” and in favour of “unlimited immigration”. A second complication with Braverman is her stance on UK’s trade deals with India. The UK is in talks with India over whether to increase the number of business visas to Indian nationals as part of a potential free trade agreement, a stance that risks causing friction with Braverman.

ALSO READ-Rishi’s Reshuffle: Hunt Stays, Braverman and Gove Return

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UK Minister calls India an economic superpower

Hands added that the FTA deal would drive growth, support jobs across the UK, and help British goods to reach India’s growing middle class….reports Asian Lite News

Greg Hands, the UK Minister for Trade Policy, called India an “economic superpower” and says an FTA would improve access to its “dynamic market”, media reports said.

He said the government is negotiating an ambitious FTA that “works for both countries” and that the “majority of chapters” of the agreement have already been reached, with more rounds expected shortly, BBC reported.

Hands added that the deal would drive growth, support jobs across the UK, and help British goods to reach India’s growing middle class.

Labour MP Nick Thomas-Symonds had asked for an update on the progress of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

New UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced Labour leader Keir Starmer and other MPs at Prime Minister’s Questions.

Starmer pressed him on the re-appointment of Suella Braverman as Home Secretary just six days after she resigned over data breaches, saying he made a “grubby deal” with her, BBC reported.

Sunak responded that Braverman “made an error of judgment”, has apologised, and he’s delighted to have her back in cabinet.

The pair also clashed over Sunak’s stated commitment to helping the most vulnerable – with Starmer questioning it.

But Sunak says that he is honest about mistakes and economic difficulties, while accusing the Labour leader of “selling fairy tales”.

It comes after the government delayed announcing its plan to repair the UK’s finances until 17 November.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the plan, originally due on Monday, would be upgraded to a full Autumn Statement – calling the delay “prudent”.

ALSO READ: Focus on India-UK ties as Sunak becomes PM