Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy has arrived in India for discussions with ministers and business leaders. The visit aims to reset Britain’s relationship with India and the broader Global South.

Mr. Lammy has described India as “an indispensable partner” in the government’s efforts to grow the economy and tackle climate change. With India’s economy poised to become the third largest in the world, the new Labour government is keen to secure a free trade agreement.

Just three weeks into its term, Sir Keir Starmer’s administration has prioritized India. For Labour to achieve economic growth, British firms need to expand their business in the country.

Talks about a free trade agreement with India have been stalled for months despite two years of negotiations. In March, India signed a free trade agreement with Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, all non-European Union states.

The foreign secretary emphasized that reinforcing the UK’s commitment to secure a deal is a baseline for Britain’s ambitions. Last year, sources from the former Conservative government mentioned that trade talks with India were in their “final but trickier” stages.

A trade deal with India is viewed as one of the most significant potential agreements for the UK post-Brexit.

Earlier this month, Mr. Lammy’s first foreign trip as a cabinet member involved meetings with various European leaders to improve UK-EU relations. However, this latest trip extends beyond economics.

India positions itself as a key player in the Global South, and Mr. Lammy aims to reset Britain’s relations with these developing countries. With political instability in Europe and the US, the government seeks to strengthen relations with other allies, including what Mr. Lammy calls the emerging superpower of the 21st century.