Top Indian, British diplomats discuss conflicts in Ukraine, Middle East

By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) – Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar held talks with UK counterpart David Lammy, discussing bilateral ties and conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle east.

Jaishankar, who is on a visit to the UK and Ireland from March 4-9, said on Wednesday he held wide-ranging and productive talks with his UK counterpart over the past two days.

“We discussed the entire gamut of bilateral ties, especially our focus on strategic coordination, political cooperation, trade deal negotiation, education, technology, mobility and people-to-people exchanges,” he wrote on X.

The top diplomat said they agreed to “formulate the next steps to further strengthen and structure them.”

The two leaders exchanged views on “regional and global issues including the Ukraine conflict, West Asia, Bangladesh and the commonwealth,” Jaishankar said. India refers to the Middle East, as West Asia.

He added: “In an uncertain and volatile world, India-UK ties contribute to stability and prosperity.”

Earlier, Jaishankar said he called on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “Discussed taking forward our bilateral, economic cooperation and enhancing people to people exchanges,” he said, adding PM Starmer “also shared UK’s perspective on the Ukraine conflict.”