Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with his United Kingdom counterpart Rishi Sunak on Friday, and the two leaders discussed the conflict in West Asia while stressing the need to attain regional peace and stability.
PM Modi also congratulated PM Sunak on the successful completion of one year of his tenure in office.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi said that the two leaders discussed the situation in West Asia and stressed the need to work towards attaining regional peace, security, stability and continued humanitarian assistance.
Both leaders expressed deep concern about terrorism, the worsening security situation and the loss of civilian lives amid the Israel-Hamas war.
“Earlier this evening, spoke to UK PM @RishiSunak. Discussed means to strengthen bilateral relations and exchanged views on the situation in West Asia. We agree that there is no place for terror and violence. Death of civilians is a serious concern. Need to work towards regional peace, security, stability and continued humanitarian assistance,” PM Modi stated.
Earlier this evening, spoke to UK PM @RishiSunak. Discussed means to strengthen bilateral relations and exchanged views on the situation in West Asia. We agree that there is no place for terror and violence. Death of civilians is a serious concern. Need to work towards regional…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 3, 2023
The leaders reiterated their commitment to continue to strengthen bilateral comprehensive strategic partnerships, including in the areas of trade, investment, emerging technology, defence, security, health and others.
They also welcomed the progress being made towards an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement.
Sunak also congratulated PM Modi on Team India’s strong performance in the ongoing Cricket World Cup.
“Turning to the friendship between the UK and India, the leaders discussed recent progress on Free Trade Agreement negotiations. They agreed on the importance of securing an ambitious deal that benefitted both sides,” the UK government said in a statement.
India and UK are negotiating a Free Trade Agreement, talks for which had begun in 2022. The 12th round of negotiations for the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) took place from August 8-31 this year.
The UK PM affirmed hope of a good performance from the English side during the Test series in India in January next year.
“The leaders discussed the ongoing Cricket World Cup being held in India. The Prime Minister congratulated Prime Minister Modi on the strong performance of the India team and said he hoped England would have more luck during their test series in India in January,” the statement added.
Notably, India is having a strong run in the ongoing Cricket World Cup and has won all seven matches it has played so far. The defending champions, England on the other hand, have had poor show, winning only one game out of the six they have played.
In the India versus England game at Lucknow, the Men in Blue registered a huge 100-run victory, after India’s pace attack rattled the English batting while defending a below-par total.
PM Modi and PM Sunak agreed to remain in touch and exchanged greetings for the festive occasion of Deepavali.
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