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UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is to urge India to work with other democracies to counter Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
Ms Truss is in New Delhi for talks with counterparts amid concern in the West about prime minister Narendra Modi’s reluctance to publicly condemn the actions of Russia – a long-standing ally dating back to the Cold War.
India, which is heavily reliant on Moscow for arms imports, has abstained in a series of votes in the UN on the invasion.
This month, India agreed to import three million barrels of heavily discounted Russian oil when the impact of international sanctions forced Moscow to drop its prices.
Although the amount was relatively small, there are concerns the volume could increase in the coming months, potentially weakening the impact of economic sanctions.
Ms Truss will use her visit to confirm £70 million ($91.9 million) of UK investment funding to support the supply of renewable energy to India, which remains one of the world’s biggest users of hydrocarbons.
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Roads were blocked in Kolkata, eastern India, on Monday, the first of two days of strike action across the country. EPA -
The strike called by trade unions is a protest against the privatisation of public sector banks, and the Banking Laws Amendment Bill passed last year. EPA -
The call for nationwide industrial action elicited 'a good response' from workers, trade union officials said. EPA -
Protesters take part in the general strike against the policies of the central government, in Ahmedabad. AFP -
The unions are protesting against what they call Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 'anti-people; policies. EPA -
Workers from state-run railways, roads, power stations, coal mining, steel production, oil and telecoms reportedly joined the strike. AFP -
Protesters in Ahmedabad said Mr Modi’s policies were affecting 'workers, farmers and the general public' of India. AFP -
A woman is stuck at a bus terminal in Chennai after public buses were suspended because of the nationwide strike. AFP -
Buses are not leaving the station in Chennai as drivers and other workers joined the strike. AFP -
A passenger train is blocked on the line in Kolkata, India. Reuters -
An almost deserted Punjab National Bank branch. EPA -
Indian bank employees protest. EPA -
Employees of state-run banks stayed away from work over plans to privatise state-owned financial institutions that are facing an increased burden of failed loans. EPA -
Activists take part in a rally in Chennai. AFP -
Supporters of the Left Front, Indian National Congress and various trade unions march in Kolkata in support of the two-day strike. Their banner in reads, 'Save the country, save the people of the country, support the all-India strike'. AP Photo -
Commuters watch after their train was blocked by activists at a railway station in Kolkata. AFP
She will also announce a new joint cyber security programme to protect online infrastructure in both countries from attacks.
Since taking office in 2019, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has set great store by building relations with India, and last year struck a landmark agreement with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, to strengthen ties over the next decade.
“Deeper ties between Britain and India will boost security in the Indo-Pacific and globally, and create jobs and opportunities in both countries,” Ms Truss said.
“This matters even more in the context of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and underlines the need for free democracies to work closer together in areas like defence, trade and cyber security.
“India is an economic and tech powerhouse, the world’s largest democracy and a great friend of Britain, and I want to build an even closer relationship between our two nations.”
