Delhi, 24 July (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi met King Charles at Sandringham House post the signing of a significant Free Trade Agreement between India and the UK, aiming to bolster bilateral trade. During the meeting, His Majesty received a tree to plant this Autumn, tied to PM Modi's environmental initiative, “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,” which encourages tree planting in honor of mothers.

In a post on X ,The RoyalFamily wrote, This afternoon, The King received the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, @NarendraModi, at Sandringham House. During their time together, His Majesty was given a tree to be planted this Autumn, inspired by the environmental initiative launched by the Prime Minister, “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, which encourages people to plant a tree in tribute to their mothers.

This meeting highlights the strengthening strategic partnership between India and the UK, following the trade deal anticipated to increase annual trade by nearly USD 34 billion. The agreement, formalized in London on July 24, is hailed as India's most ambitious in over a decade and the UK’s first major pact post-Brexit, seen as a milestone in economic cooperation.

PM Modi referred to it as a “new roadmap for shared prosperity,” emphasizing benefits for farmers, fishermen, small businesses, and professionals. The deal offers near-zero duty access for various Indian exports, including textiles, gems, seafood, and processed foods, thus enhancing Indian industry and job creation. The pact is projected to double bilateral trade from USD 60 billion to 120 billion by 2030.

PM Modi's current four-day visit includes discussions with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on critical regional and global issues. Following his UK visit, PM Modi will engage with the Maldives, a crucial step in resetting bilateral relations strained after Mohamed Muizzu's presidency in November 2023.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar