British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has appointed David Lammy as the new Foreign Secretary. This comes after Starmer led the Labour Party to a landslide victory in the recent general election. Lammy, a 51-year-old politician and lawyer, is known for his strong support of building ties with India.
Lammy expressed his intention to visit India within the first month of his new role. He aims to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the UK and India. India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, congratulated Lammy and looked forward to continued engagement.
Congratulations to @DavidLammy on being appointed Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom.
Look forward to continuing our engagement and strengthen the 🇮🇳 🇬🇧 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 5, 2024
Lammy’s Vision for Foreign Policy
In his first statement as Foreign Secretary, Lammy said it was an honor to be appointed. He highlighted the global challenges ahead and emphasized the need to leverage the UK’s strengths for security and prosperity. Lammy criticized the previous administration for missing the Diwali 2022 deadline for an India-UK free trade agreement (FTA). He expressed eagerness to finalize the FTA and move forward.
Lammy described India as a priority for the Labour Party, calling it an economic, technological, and cultural superpower. He emphasized a shift from previous approaches, mentioning that he would recite Tagore in India, not Kipling, signaling a respectful and collaborative approach.
Focus on Indo-Pacific and Global Security
Lammy stressed the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, working in partnership with India. He stated that the UK stands for a rules-based order and opposes any forceful redrawing of borders. He criticized Russian President Putin and other leaders in Asia for their imperialistic actions.
Lammy highlighted the need to enhance the UK-India security partnership. This includes cooperation in military, maritime security, cyber technologies, and emerging technologies. He also mentioned the importance of defense and industrial cooperation, as well as securing supply chains.
Commitment to India-UK Free Trade Agreement
Earlier this year, Lammy launched the Labour Indians diaspora outreach organization. He promised to complete the FTA with India, aiming to boost the GBP 38.1 billion bilateral partnership. He emphasized that the trade agreement should be a starting point for further collaboration in various areas.
Lammy’s message to India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Trade Minister Piyush Goyal was clear: Labour is ready to finalize the trade deal and expand the relationship. He believes there’s much more that can be achieved together, beyond just the FTA.
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