India, UK to deepen cooperation in Indo-Pacific, fight against climate change

India News Stream Desk

May 10, 2019

New Delhi: India and the UK have decided to strengthen their cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, fighting climate change, maritime security, counter-terrorism and other regional challenges.

These issue were discussed by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, during their FCO consultations held here on Friday to review bilateral cooperation.

The two sides noted that over the past year, Bilateral trade has grown by 14%, and visas for Indian students have increased by 35%. They identified specific areas to work together as a force for good, for example on a global coalition on climate resilience, on disaster relief and on development.

”The dialogue celebrated 12 months of progress since Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the UK in April 2018 for the Commonwealth Summit, where he and Prime Minister May agreed on closer collaboration across trade and technology, security and people-to-people links,’ ‘ the British High Commission said in a press statement.

Speaking after the meeting, Sir Simon said: “The UK-India relationship is focused on the future: whether it be through the technology partnership, security collaboration or economic ties, our bilateral cooperation is designed to build shared prosperity and tackle future challenges. It has been 12 months of impressive progress since the Commonwealth Summit.

Over the next decade, the UK and India will be ever more central players in global debates on security, development and protecting our planet. I’m delighted that, together, we are tackling these issues head on as partners – reinforcing our two Prime Ministers’ desire to act as a joint ‘Force for Good’ in the world.”

”The UK and India share a common ambition for an international rules-based system. In line with this, the FCO consultations also covered bilateral cooperation on cyber and maritime security, counter-terrorism, and other regional challenges, the press statement said.

​Both sides agreed to increase their collaboration in the fields of Indo-Pacific, Disaster resilience, climate change and development in 3rd countries, amongst other areas, a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs here said.

At the dialogue, Sir Simon also presented the formal signed instrument of ratification to Mr. Gokhale, marking the UK’s membership of the International Solar Alliance.

The ISA is the Indian Government’s flagship climate treaty and has already brought together more than 60 countries as a platform for cooperation among solar resource rich countries to increase the use of solar energy in a safe, convenient, affordable, equitable and sustainable manner. The UK confirmed its commitment to the ISA last month at the London Stock Exchange as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings. Proposed collaboration between the UK and ISA includes: solar financing, developing next generation solar technologies, and leveraging UK solar business’ expertise to support delivery of ISA objectives.

India News Stream

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