New Delhi, July 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke with new UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and congratulated him on assuming charge of the top office in the UK and also invited him for an early visit to India.
The PM also said that India is committed to deepening the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.
In a post on X, PM Modi said:
“Pleased to speak with @Keir_Starmer.
“Congratulated him on being elected as the Prime Minister of the UK. We remain committed to deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and robust India-Great Britain economic ties for the progress and prosperity of our peoples and global good.”
An official statement said that PM Modi spoke with Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom today, and congratulated him on assuming charge as Prime Minister of UK and for the remarkable victory of the Labour Party in the UK general election.
Both leaders recalled the historic relations between the two countries and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen and advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UK. The two leaders agreed to work towards early conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-UK Free Trade Agreement, the statement said.
Appreciating the positive contributions of the Indian community in the social, economic and political development of the UK, the two sides agreed to continue to promote close people to people ties.
Prime Minister extended invitation to Prime Minister Starmer for an early visit to India.
Both leaders agreed to remain in touch, it said.
A UK readout of the phone conversation said that the two leaders “exchanged congratulations on their respective election wins, and reflected on the strength of the relationship between the UK and India”.
“Prime Minister Starmer said he looked forward to further deepening the strong and respectful relationship between both countries, and welcomed Prime Minister Modi’s leadership on key global challenges, such as climate change and economic growth.
“Discussing the importance of the living bridge between the UK and India, and the 2030 roadmap, the leaders agreed there was a wide range of areas across defence and security, critical and emerging technology, and climate change, for the two countries to deepen cooperation on.
“Discussing the Free Trade Agreement, Prime Minister Starmer said he stood ready to conclude a deal that worked for both sides.”
“The leaders hoped to meet at the earliest opportunity,” it added.
On Friday, PM Modi had in a post on X congratulated Labour Party leader Keir Starmer on his party’s landslide victory in the UK parliamentary elections and becoming the new prime minister of UK.
In a post on X, PM Modi also thanked ex-PM Rishi Sunak for his active contribution to deepening the bilateral ties between India and the UK during his term in office.
Labour won 412 seats in the 650-seat House of Commons. The Conservatives had only 121 — down from 365 seats in 2019. The drubbing surpassed even the 1906 election in which they won just 156 seats.
