Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted King Charles in the UK on Thursday, a day after India and the UK signed a historic Free Trade Agreement that is poised to dramatically increase bilateral trade. The visit by the two leaders highlighted the expanding strategic partnership between India and the UK following a deal set to increase trade by almost USD 34 billion annually.
Free Trade Agreement Signed in Presence of Modi and Starmer
The Free Trade Agreement, inked in London on 24 July, was sealed in the presence of PM Modi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The agreement was signed by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds on behalf of their governments.
Welcomed as India’s most ambitious trade agreement in more than a decade and the UK’s first big post-Brexit deal, the deal is a significant step in economic cooperation between the two nations. Referring to it as a “new roadmap for shared prosperity,” PM Modi said the deal would help farmers, fishermen, small businesses, and professionals in both the countries.
Near-Zero Duty Access for Indian Exports
The agreement was agreed would provide near-zero duty access to a broad array of Indian exports to the UK, such as textiles, gems and jewelry, seafood, leather products, engineering goods, and processed foods, providing a significant shot in the arm to Indian industry and employment.
Government sources had described the pact as a “historic milestone” in India-UK ties, with both parties hoping that it would open the door to increased cooperation across the board.
Modi Gifts King Charles a Sonoma Dove Tree
During the meeting, Modi presented the King with a sapling of Davidia involucrata ‘Sonoma’, commonly known as the Sonoma dove tree or handkerchief tree.
The gesture was made under the Prime Minister’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, which encourages people to plant a tree in tribute to their mothers.
Royal Family Acknowledges the Gift on X
“This afternoon, The King received the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, @NarendraModi, at Sandringham House. During their time together, His Majesty was given a tree to be planted this Autumn, inspired by the environmental initiative launched by the Prime Minister, ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, which encourages people to plant a tree in tribute to their mothers,” the Royal Family said in a post on X.
The Sonoma dove tree is an ornamental species known for its large white bracts that resemble handkerchiefs or doves. Unlike the standard Davidia involucrata, which can take up to 20 years to bloom, the ‘Sonoma’ cultivar flowers within two to three years of planting.
