British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed support for India securing a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
“We sit together in the Commonwealth, G20, and we want to see India taking its rightful place in the UN Security Council,” Starmer said following his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A joint statement issued after the meeting highlighted the leaders’ shared commitment to global peace, prosperity, and a rules-based international order.
“They agreed to work closely in promoting reformed multilateralism, including reform of the United Nations Security Council. The UK reiterated its long-standing support for India’s legitimate aspirations for permanent membership in a reformed UNSC,” the statement said.
During a special media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also highlighted the UK’s backing of India’s bid.
“We have received support from the United Kingdom regarding our objective to gain a place as a permanent member on a reconstituted and reformed UN Security Council. The UK has been on record on several occasions in the past, and we very much welcome and appreciate that support,” Misri said.
He noted that trade and investment were key focus areas during the visit.
“The Free Trade Agreement signed in July is currently undergoing ratification in both countries. Both leaders observed how excited the trade, business, and investment communities are about the prospects of its full implementation. Much of the discussions yesterday between business leaders from both sides focused on planning for future investment and trade cooperation,” he said.
“This visit has provided an opportunity to deepen strategic economic engagement and fully leverage the benefits of tariff reductions under the FTA,” Misri added.
The first meeting of the reconstituted India-UK CEOs Forum also took place on Thursday.
Misri further explained that the UK Secretary of State for Trade and Investment, along with the Indian Commerce and Industries Minister, reviewed the trade and investment relationship and discussed the reconstituted Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).
“This committee will reset and determine the long-term India-UK trade and investment relationship and support the implementation of the India-UK FTA,” he said.
The leaders also announced new joint investments to strengthen the Climate Technology Startup Fund, aimed at supporting entrepreneurs in climate technology and artificial intelligence sectors. This initiative also complements the FTA’s innovation chapter and aligns with discussions under the Technology Security Initiative (TSI).
Technology and innovation formed the second major pillar of discussions.
“This is a critical part of the bilateral relationship. During the Prime Minister’s visit, significant progress was made under TSI, including the establishment of the India-UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre, the India-UK Joint Centre for Artificial Intelligence, and a Critical Minerals Industry Guild to secure resilient supply chains and promote green technologies,” Misri said.
Both countries also agreed to launch phase two of the UK-India Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory and to establish a new satellite campus at IIT, the Indian School of Mines in Dhanbad.
Additionally, the two leaders discussed ways to enhance collaboration in the education sector.
