G20 Summit: UK PM Rishi Sunak takes up FTA, growing Sikh radicals in Britain
Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Saturday held a bilateral meeting here on the sidelines of the G20 Summit and discussed a range of issues, including proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the growing network of Sikh radicals in Britain.
In a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Modi is seen greeting Sunak with a firm handshake and a warm hug.
Sunak's meeting with Modi could provide an impetus to finalize the FTA for which talks have been ongoing for a fairly long period, it has been learnt.
Ahead of his visit Sunak appeared confident that the FTA will be a «forward-looking» and «modern» deal that would benefit both sides and facilitate shared ambition of doubling trade by 2030.
In April last year, the two sides had set a Deepavali deadline for concluding the trade agreement but the deal could not be finalised in view of differences over certain issues as well as political developments in the UK.
The biggest irritant in India-UK partnership remains growing network of Sikh radicals in Britain and threat they create for Indian diplomats.
Taking to X earlier, Sunak said G20 leaders are meeting at a time of enormous challenges and the world is looking to the G20 once again to provide leadership. «15 years ago, G20 leaders came together for the first time to restore global growth after the financial crisis.
We meet at a time of enormous challenges — the world is looking to the G20 once again to provide leadership. Together I believe we can address these challenges,» Sunak posted on X.
This is Rishi Sunak's first official visit to India since he became Britain Prime Minister.
