New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar who is on a three-day visit to the United Kingdom from May 3 to 5 to attend the G7 foreign minister's summit, on Tuesday met UK Home Secretary Priti Patel. Both the leaders signed the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement.
"A fruitful meeting this morning with UK Home Secretary Priti Patel. Signed the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement that would facilitate legal travel and encourage talent flows. The living bridge between India and UK will get stronger as a result," Dr Jaishankar said in a tweet.
This is an important outcome for the India-U.K. Virtual Summit that is due to commence shortly, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar tweeted earlier today.
The issue of illegal Indian migrants in the UK has long been on the agenda of bilateral negotiations, with both sides failing to agree on the numbers in question.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual summit with UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The two leaders discussed the global pandemic situation & ongoing cooperation in the fight against it. Modi thanked Johnson for prompt medical assistance provided by the UK, in the wake of the severe second wave in India, according to Sandeep Chakraborty, Joint Secretary, Europe West, MEA.
Also Read: EAM speaks to Deputy PM of Qatar
Notably, UK was one of the first to respond, sending critical medical equipment, like oxygen concentrators, cylinders and ventilators among others. The successful vaccine partnership through Oxford/AstraZeneca-SII collaboration was also discussed, the MEA said.
Both the leaders agreed to expand partnership on vaccines, therapeutics & diagnostics on COVID19 & beyond through joint research, including nasal vaccines and also regulatory and clinical trial cooperation, Chakraborty, told a press briefing today.
On Monday, Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken in London to discuss the COVID-19 challenge and deepening the U.S.-India comprehensive global strategic partnership.
Secretary Blinken and Minister Jaishankar reviewed recent efforts in the fight against COVID-19, including U.S. assistance to India, and expressed appreciation for the support during the pandemic.
They also discussed ways to deepen cooperation in multilateral fora, including - the U.N. Security Council and as a G7 guest country. Secretary Blinken and Minister Jaishankar looked forward to continued U.S.-India cooperation on a full range of bilateral and global issues.
The first in-person G7 meeting in London, provides an opportunity to all the leading democracies to come together to share a vision of the new world order and better global diplomacy.
