NEW DELHI: Foreign secretary Vikram Misri said PM Modi, during his meet with UK counterpart Keir Starmer, underlined the need to move against Indian economic fugitives within the legal frameworks that are available to both sides.Modi, who announced an agreement for cooperation in military training under which IAF flying instructors will serve as trainers with the UK’s Royal Air Force, said India and the UK are natural partners as their relationship is built on the shared values of democracy, freedom and the rule of law. “In today’s time of global uncertainty, our growing partnership stands as an important pillar of global stability and economic progress,” said Modi in a joint press statement with Starmer after their meeting.

Defence, in fact, was a major focus area in the meeting with the leaders endorsing an intent to finalise an inter-governmental agreement (IGA) on cooperation in developing maritime electric propulsion systems for Indian naval platforms. Another agreement worth 350 million pounds for supply of lightweight multirole missile systems to support India’s air defence capabilities was also announced. According to a joint statement, this agreement, in the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat, will meet the current and future requirements of the Indian ministry of defence, and support a long-term collaboration on complex weapons between the two countries.Both leaders agreed to work closely in promoting reformed multilateralism, including reform of the UNSC, as Starmer reiterated UK’s long-standing support for India’s “legitimate aspirations for permanent membership in a reformed UNSC”.Modi and Starmer focused on ramping up cooperation in the Indo-Pacific too as they committed to, according to the joint statement, robust maritime security collaboration in the region, including establishment of the Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.Recalling the “historic” Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement that India concluded with the UK in July, Modi said this agreement will reduce import costs between both countries, create new employment opportunities for youth, boost trade, and benefit both Indian and UK industries and consumers. He said there are immense possibilities in the technology partnership, including in critical & emerging technologies, between India and the UK. “We are working to connect the UK’s industrial expertise and R&D with India’s talent and scale. Last year, we launched the India-UK Technology Security Initiative. To connect the youth of both countries through an innovation bridge, we have taken several steps, including establishing the Connectivity and Innovation Centre and Joint AI Research Centre,” he said.The leaders also announced the setting up of a UK-India Critical Minerals Processing and Downstream Collaboration Guild to build concrete partnerships, which “strengthen and diversify critical mineral supply chains and deliver investment and growth in both nations”. “We are moving towards defence co-production & connecting defence industries of both countries. We have signed an agreement for cooperation in military training, under which Flying Instructors from Indian Air Force will serve as trainers with the UK’s Royal Air Force,” he said.