Foreign Affairs Secretary Liz Truss will unveil a series of new technology deals with India as she visits the emerging superpower today.
On a two-day visit to Delhi and Mumbai, she will announce a ten-year partnership to help lay the foundation for the “Freedom Network” to fight rogue states around the world.
The new chief diplomat said the deal would strengthen Britain’s economic, technical and security ties with India.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson entered into a remote partnership with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this year.
Ms Truss meets with officials from the iconic Red Fort in Delhi to sign a £11.5 million deal to help India transition to green energy as well as a £50 million Green Technology Fund from the Foreign Office.
Ms Truss said: “I want the UK and India to strengthen their partnership in key areas such as technology, investment, security and defence.
“India is the world’s largest democracy, a technological and economic superpower, and an important strategic partner for the UK.
“Close ties – including in areas such as technology and infrastructure – will create jobs and growth in both countries, boost economies in developing countries and help us promote our values globally.”
While in Mumbai, where she will visit the British Carrier Strike Group, which arrived at an Indian port on their tour of Asia and will still sit in the cockpit of an F35 fighter.
A source close to the foreign secretary said: “This is Liz’s first major solo trip since she got the job – which tells you everything you need to know about how she makes India a priority.
“Strengthening ties with India is one of the great costs of Brexit and it is determined to seize it. “
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