Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the night of March 4 to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the UK’s stance on the war.

The meeting occurred shortly after Starmer hosted an emergency gathering of European leaders to show support for Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the aftermath of a tense public exchange between Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump, and Vice President JD Vance at the White House.

Starmer conveyed the “UK’s perspective on the Ukraine conflict”, Jaishankar said.

During his visit, Jaishankar talked with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and a group of Indian Chevening Scholars. His trip comes as India maintains a neutral stance on the Ukraine war, avoiding alignment with Europe, the US or Russia. Just last week, India abstained from two United Nations resolutions, one proposed by Ukraine and another by the US.

New Delhi has consistently pushed for diplomatic solutions, emphasising that warfare cannot achieve lasting peace. India is expected to continue to avoid taking sides while reaffirming its commitment to respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen released a joint statement last week, expressing their support for “a just and lasting peace” based on international law and the principles of the UN Charter.

Jaishankar also held individual meetings with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds; his talks with Cooper covered immigration, counter-extremism and efforts to tackle human trafficking. At the same time, negotiations with Reynolds focused on the progress of the ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) talks between India and the UK.

With a trading relationship valued at £41 billion ($52 billion), the visit is crucial for strengthening economic ties. As part of this effort, India plans to open two new consulates in Belfast and Manchester to enhance regional connections and investment opportunities.

Before inaugurating the consulates, Jaishankar and Lammy met at Chevening House to strengthen the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Their discussions focused on economic growth, technological cooperation, and global security issues, including Russia’s Ukraine invasion and the continuing conflicts in the Middle East.

“Dr. Jaishankar and I are supercharging our £41 billion trading relationship with India after trade talks were relaunched in Delhi,” stated Lammy. “It is the floor, not the ceiling, of our ambitions that will benefit both our economies.”

The ministers also talked about the Technology Security Initiative, which was introduced during Lammy’s visit to Delhi in July 2024. This initiative focuses on increasing collaboration in artificial intelligence, telecommunications, and critical minerals to strengthen supply chains, attract investment, and generate jobs in both nations.