British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will announce several commercial agreements during his visit to India and usher in a “new era” in bilateral trade and investment ties. Britain’s High Commission said on Thursday that Britain and India will ratify new investment and export agreements worth one billion pounds for businesses ranging from software engineering to the health sector. This is expected to create around 11,000 jobs in the UK.
Johnson began a two-day visit to India on Thursday to further strengthen bilateral ties and share views on global challenges, including the crisis in Ukraine and the situation in the Indo-Pacific.
Johnson was quoted as saying by the High Commission, “On my arrival in India today, I see the immense potential that our two great countries can achieve together.” From next-generation 5G telecoms to AI and new partnerships in health research and renewable energy, the UK and India are leading the world. It will increase further in the coming years.”
Johnson will conclude his programs in Gujarat on Thursday and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday.
The High Commission said in a statement that Johnson would use his visit to India to “enhance our partnership with one of the world’s fastest growing economies, reduce trade barriers for British industry and bring jobs and growth to the country”. ‘ But will do. The UK will also confirm key new partnerships in science and technology, including the Digital Health Partnership and a joint investment fund for Indian deep-tech and AI startups, it said.
“When the Prime Minister visits New Delhi on Friday, he will use this week’s visit to drive progress in negotiations on the historic UK-India Free Trade Agreement,” the High Commission said. With this agreement, our trade and investment is expected to double by 2030.
“Today our governments will announce new steps to facilitate the export of UK-made medical equipment to India,” the High Commission said. This will create jobs in the UK and provide opportunities for British medical technology companies such as Redcar-based Micropore Technologies to sell their lifesaving products in India, which has an import market of £2.4 billion.”