New Delhi [India], March 1 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday held a bilateral meeting with UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, holding discussions on the commencement of the Young Professional Scheme. He also exchanged views on the global situation as well as the G20 agenda. “Began the morning with a bilateral meeting with Foreign Secretary @JamesCleverly of the UK.

Reviewed the progress in our relationship since our last discussion. Noted in particular the commencement of the Young Professional Scheme. Also exchanged views on the global situation as well as the G20 agenda,” tweeted Jaishankar. “During a visit to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Delhi today (Wednesday), the Foreign Secretary will mark the opening of the Young Professionals Scheme, an ambitious new partnership between the UK and India which allows up 3,000 Brits and 3,000 Indians a year the right to live and work in the other country for up to two years,” read a release from the UK Embassy.

Foreign Secretary Cleverly said India is a hugely important partner to the UK and “the deeper ties we are forging now will help to grow the UK economy and boost industries for the future”. Cleverly is in Delhi to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting. “He will also launch the new UK-India Young Professional Scheme and announce the creation of UK’s first Tech Envoy to the Indo-Pacific region,” the British embassy in India tweeted.

Jaishankar also met Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard and Foreign Minister of Comoros, Dhoihir Dhoulkamal. He welcomed the opening of the Mexican Consulate in Mumbai.

“A warm meeting with FM @m_ebrard of Mexico on #G20FMM sidelines. Noted our strong multilateral cooperation and discussed the G20 agenda. Focused on issues related to growth and development. Bilateral ties have progressed significantly in recent years. Welcomed the opening of the Mexican Consulate in Mumbai. Exchanged ideas on mobility, sustainability and innovation,” tweeted Jaishankar.
Meanwhile, he assured Dhoulkamal that India’s G20 Presidency will prioritize the voice of the Global South.

“Glad to welcome Dhoihir Dhoulkamal, FM of Comoros and Chair of African Union at the #G20FMM. Reiterated our steadfast support to our maritime neighbour, guided by our SAGAR policy. Assured him that India’s G20 Presidency will prioritize the voice of the Global South,” tweeted the EAM.

The G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM) is scheduled to kick off in physical format from March 1-2, 2023 in New Delhi, under India’s presidency.

The New Delhi meeting will be attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, however, Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi will not attend the meeting.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the foreign ministers of the member countries of G20 and he will talk about India’s growing influence globally. (ANI)

UK pays close attention to such activities: Foreign Secy on violent attacks on Indians

New Delhi [India], March 1 (ANI): British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Wednesday said that United Kingdom’s police and security services are paying close attention to the attacks against Indians and assured that action against any illegal activity. “We take the security of people very seriously, our police and security services always pay close regard to such activities and if it is an illegal activity, we act upon it,” Cleverly said while talking to ANI. He also made it clear to the Indians that the UK is a welcoming place for them.

Pro-Khalistan groups have time and again resorted to violent protests outside the High Commission of India in London. Recently, on February 18, anti-India slogans were raised outside Indian High Commission in London. The Khalistani supporters not just raised Pro-Khalistani slogans but also chanted anti-India slogans outside the Indian High Commission.

Criticizing the Pro-Khjalistani group, former president of Andhra Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) Vishnu Vardhan Reddy tweeted, “KhaIistanis raising anti-India-Modi slogans outside Indian High Commission in London. They’re still living in their fairyland they can benefit themselves with these sort of protests! They’re doing harm to themselves only.”

Anti-India sloganeering by Khalistani supporters in London comes days after a Hindu Temple was targeted in Canada by some Khalistani elements. Meanwhile, in Delhi, in an interview with ANI, Cleverly said, “We want to see more connections with Indians and we want to strengthen the bilateral relations in the coming future.”

He further said that India’s G20 presidency was quite exciting, it has fantastic opportunities. This is a great opportunity to talk about sustainable economic agenda and green agenda. Speaking on India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), James Cleverly said that the UK does much business with India and is working extensively. He said that he would be meeting India’s trade secretary to make sure this trade agreement really benefits both countries & unlocks billion of pounds of bilateral trade.

British Foreign Secretary said that the issue of searches on BBC offices in India was raised with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during a bilateral meeting today. Cleverly brought up the issue of the BBC tax searches during his meeting with Jaishankar, sources told ANI. He was firmly told that all entities operating in India must comply fully with relevant laws and regulations,” according to sources.
In February this year Income Tax authorites had conducted searches at the offices of the British broadcaster in New Delhi and Mumbai.

Speaking to ANI in an exclusive interview, Cleverly said that BBC is an independent organisation and is separate from the UK Government. “I didn’t see the documentary but I’ve seen reactions in UK and India. BBC is an independent organisation and separate from government. I enjoy a strong personal relationship with Dr Jaishankar…relationship between UK-India growing stronger by the day,” said Cleverly when asked about the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking on the UK PM Rishi Sunak’s priorities in terms of India, he said that he has launched the young professional scheme, whereby 3,000 young Indians can come to the UK, and vice-versa, to develop answers to the challenges of the future together. The living bridge, those connections are very well exemplified given the fact that the British PM is of Indian heritage. (ANI)