Opening remarks by EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar during his meeting with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper of the UK (June 04, 2026)

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Colleagues from both the delegations,

Let me first of all say, Foreign Secretary, that it is a pleasure to welcome you to India, in what I believe is your first visit, and your presence is of course today both a reaffirmation of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and also an opportunity to review its progress.

Now, our relationship has moved from being a historical and perhaps cultural connection today to being a forward-looking highway of shared economic ambitions and high - technology

Our bilateral relations really saw some remarkable developments last year marked by the two-way visits of Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Starmer within months of each other.

With the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the adoption of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, that of the Defence Industrial Roadmap as well, we are today well positioned to build a new, future-oriented and mutually beneficial partnership.

The CETA of course addresses many concerns which countries have, including ours about creating resilient supply chains, and addressing concerns about trade, energy, food and economic security.

Today’s meeting will be an opportunity to discuss the India-UK Vision 2035 under all the five pillars of Growth, Technology and Innovation, Defence and Security, Climate and clean energy, as well as Education.

I would like to take the opportunity to recognise some of the significant progress recently on the Vision 2035, which includes the signing of the CETA, the India - UK Technology Security Initiative, the adoption of the Defence Industrial Roadmap, the Climate Technology Startup Fund, the Offshore Wind Energy Task Force, and of course the coming to India of Universities from the UK of which the most recent is the University of Liverpool whose decision was announced today.

So, once again, let me welcome you and let me underline that Vision 2035 continues to guide our relationship. I look forward to our discussions, and let me invite you to your opening remarks.

New Delhi
June 04, 2026