New Delhi (NVI): A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke at the inaugural address of the India Global Week 2020, UK Cabinet ministers today expressed their support to bolster ties with India to tackle immediate challenges like Covid-19 and climate change in the longer run.
The 3- day virtual conference has been organised in the United Kingdom with a theme of “Be The Revival: India and a Better New World”.
The inaugural address for the annual conference, held virtually this year from 9-11 July, was delivered by Prime Minister Modi yesterday. It brought together influential participants from the private and public sectors to discuss India, the UK and the world.
This included a special address by The Prince of Wales – who visited India last year – highlighting enduring UK-India bilateral ties and the importance of building a green, sustainable future, the British High Commission said in a statement.
The strength of the UK-India relationship was on show today on the second day of conference organised in London, with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab leading a senior UK delegation that also included Home Secretary Priti Patel, Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Trade Secretary Liz Truss, the BHC said.
The UK Foreign Secretary gave a speech by video, discussing the way Britain and India are maximising research and innovation links to tackle the challenges posed by Covid-19 and climate change.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “As leaders in the international Covid-19 response, the UK and India also co-authored the G20 Action Plan, providing an immediate package of $200 billion of global support to the most vulnerable countries around the world. A vaccine developed in Britain and manufactured in India, if successful in clinical trials, will reach a billion people across the developing world, thanks to Oxford University and India’s Serum Institute.
“We also believe our friendship with India will be crucial as the UK fulfils its ambition to be an even stronger force for good in the world. When the UK hosts COP26 in 2021, we will need to be key partners in tackling climate change.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Our relationship with India is deeply rooted in shared history, culture and our people to people ties. It is difficult to think of two other countries so deeply intertwined as the living bridge between our nations strengthens. Our partnership for the future is based upon our shared values and determination to be a force for good as we collectively embark upon new challenges and new shared opportunities.”
-ARK
