Jaishankar calls Chevening Scholars “great advocates of India-UK ties”

By Anjali Sharma

WASHINGTOM – India External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday met Chevening Scholars from India along with the British Foreign Secretary David Lammy during the EAM’s official visit to the Great Britain.

Jaishankar shared the details of the meeting in a post on X. He said that the Chevening Scholars are “great advocates of the India-UK ties.

“Great to meet Chevening Scholars from India along with FS @DavidLammy this evening. A vivid expression of our talent and people-to-people exchanges, they surely are great advocates of India-UK ties”, the EAM wrote on X.

Chevening is the UK government’s international scholarships and fellowships programme that offers the opportunity to study at a UK university.

Jaishankar met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and discussed advancing bilateral economic cooperation and enhancing people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Jaishankar posted on X said, “Delighted to call on Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer at @10DowningStreet today. Conveyed the warm greetings of PM @narendramodi. Discussed taking forward our bilateral, economic cooperation and enhancing people-to-people exchanges. PM Starmer also shared UK’s perspective on the Ukraine conflict.”

He shared his meeting with the UK’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, where he thanked him for the welcome and expressed optimism for the meeting.

“Thank you FS @DavidLammy for this extremely warm welcome at the Chevening House. Look forward to our discussions”, the EAM wrote on X.

Jaishankar held meetings with the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for the Department of Business and Trade of the UK.

He met with the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Jaishankar noted that the two leaders held discussions on areas such as flow of talent and joint efforts between India and the UK to tackle “trafficking and extremism”.

Jaishankar also held a meeting with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, he r highlighted that discussions were held on the progress in the free trade agreement talks between India and the UK.

Ministry of External Affairs in a statement issued said that Jaishankar is on an official visit to the United Kingdom and Ireland till March 9.

He will hold discussions to provide renewed impetus to India’s friendly ties with both the UK and Ireland, MEA stated.

In Ireland, Jaishankar will meet with his Irish counterpart Simon Harris, other dignitaries and members of Indian community. Jaishankar will visit Ireland on March 6 and 7.

EAM’s visit will provide renewed impetus to India’s friendly ties with both the UK and Ireland, the MEA statement added.