UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrives in New Delhi for the G20 Leaders’ Summit

The United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak landed in the Indian capital on Friday, September 8, to attend the highly anticipated G20 Leaders’ Summit scheduled for September 9-10. Accompanied by his wife, Akshata Murthy, Sunak was welcomed at the airport by Union minister Ashwini Choubey, British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis, and other senior diplomats.
During his three-day visit, Sunak is set to hold bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a meeting underscored by the anticipation of productive dialogue at the summit. Ahead of this diplomatic engagement, PM Modi warmly welcomed Sunak through a social media post, expressing optimism for a fruitful summit that harbours collaboration for a better planet.
Prior to the high-level meetings, Sunak took time to interact with students and staff at the British Council in New Delhi, portraying the strong bridge between the UK and India and underlining the vitality of nurturing the leaders of tomorrow.
The Prime Minister, a figure proud of his Hindu roots, exhibited keen interest in the spiritual and cultural narrative of India as narrated by Union Minister Ashwini Choubey. Sunak received tokens symbolising Indian culture, including a rudraksh, Bhagavad Gita, and Hanuman Chalisa, cementing the warm reception and mutual respect between him and the Indian officials.
In an interview with PTI earlier in the week, Sunak highlighted the dynamic and defining role of the UK-India relationship, not only in the present but going forward, creating a substantial footprint in the future of both nations.
Progress in UK-India Free Trade Agreement Talks
Coinciding with his visit, the UK Prime Minister disclosed the encouraging progress on the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations that initiated in January 2022. Sunak reiterated the steadfast approach adopted by both sides in the discussions, ensuring that the agreement will be equitable and beneficial for the whole of the UK.
Though refraining from setting a definitive deadline, he signalled that 19 out of the 26 chapters in the proposed FTA have been closed, a clear indication that substantial ground has been covered. The anticipation is building around the bilateral meeting with PM Modi where further developments regarding the agreement are expected to be a focal point of discussion.
Sunak emphasised the potential benefits that the agreement promises for Indian exporters, including the buoyant market of around 48 million small and medium enterprises.
As the discussion traverses through pivotal sectors including auto, whiskey, and intellectual property rights, the prospective agreement is viewed as a monumental step in bolstering economic ties, with a remarkable increase in bilateral trade, noted at USD 20.36 billion in 2022-23, up from USD 17.5 billion the previous year.
As the world watches, the summit and the sidelines meetings unfold, there lies a collaborative spirit, nurturing ties rooted in shared history, cultural exchange, and envisioning a future of mutual growth and understanding. Sunak’s visit, hence, stands as a testament to the living bridge between the UK and India, building pathways for a stronger partnership in the global arena.