London, Thanasis Gavos
Cooperation in defense, energy and trade was the focus of the meeting that had in New Delhi the Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom and India.
Narendra Monti welcomed Boris Johnson on the second and final day of his official visit in Indiawhich however overshadowed by the British Prime Minister’s referral to a parliamentary inquiry into the partygate.
The meeting also took place in a context of embarrassment on the part of London, as the Indian government has called for a ceasefire in Ukraine, but has avoided condemning Russia for the invasion.
In the joint statements of the two leaders no reference was made to the ongoing warwith Mr Johnson saying earlier that it was not his intention to dictate the foreign policy of other states, although his office had made it clear that the issue was on the agenda of the prime minister’s visit.
The British leader said he wanted to close one bilateral trade agreement for the post-Brexit era before the Hindu festival of Diwali in October. However, Mr Monti appeared to believe that the end of the year was a more realistic timetable for such an agreement.
Mr Johnson also said that Britain will support India in the construction of fighter jetswith the ultimate goal of reducing India ‘s military dependence on Russia.
According to Downing Street, the two countries will step up security co-operation in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Indian Ocean.
It was also bilateral commitment to increase research to reduce the cost of producing “green” energy from hydrogen.
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