External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Monday credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for the socioeconomic transformation of India in the past decade. He also acknowledged global transformations and the evolving India-UK relationship.

Addressing a special Diwali Reception organized by the High Commission of India at Westminster Hall near the Houses of Parliament in London, Jaishankar said, "I begin by saying the world has changed, our relationship has changed, the UK has changed, and India has changed. So you may ask me what has changed in India. You know the answer - the answer is Modi."

Speaking further, the External Affairs Minister said, "The long answer actually lies in this range of initiatives that all of you have heard about for the last ten years."

"Initiatives like Beti Padhao, and Beti Bachao; initiatives about building toilets for girls, about the Jandhan Yojana, the financial inclusion, about building houses, the Awas Yojana... each of these schemes has delivered," he said.

Jaishankar also reflected on the comprehensive changes witnessed in the past ten years, noting that the government, nearing the completion of its second term next year, has created almost as many new universities and colleges as the country had in the previous 65 years.

"So when we look at the last ten years, because by next year the government would be completing its second term. These ten years have actually been a socioeconomic revolution in India...we have actually created almost as many new universities and colleges in the last ten years as the country had in the previous 65 years," he said.

Addressing the evolving India-UK relationship, Mr Jaishankar expressed the need to reframe the partnership in light of the profound changes in both nations. He emphasized the importance of preparing for a contemporary era and exploring new convergences to unlock the unrealized potential between India and the UK.

"We are today trying to reframe the relationship between India and the UK. We are trying to do so because, in the last many decades, our two countries have each changed profoundly. We have changed in ourselves, our relationships, our linkages, and approaches to the world; therefore, it is important that we prepare a partnership for a contemporary era in which we look to explore new convergences to see if there is unrealistic potential out there...," said Mr. Jaishankar.

EAM Jaishankar arrived in Britain on Saturday and will conclude his visit on November 15.

India and the UK have a "growing bilateral partnership", the MEA stated in a release earlier, noting that the two countries launched a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2021.

"India and the UK share a warm and thriving relationship. The India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was launched in 2021 along with the India-UK Roadmap 2030," the MEA stated in its release.

"The Roadmap is a commitment to a partnership that delivers for both countries. EAM's visit will give new impetus to the friendly ties between the two countries," it added.

On a five-day official visit to the UK with the aim of reviewing various aspects of bilateral ties, Jaishankar said a free trade agreement (FTA) is at the focus of the India-UK relationship, and New Delhi is hopeful of finding a "landing point" in the negotiations that works for both sides.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also met U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in London on Sunday. He thanked British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for taking the time to host him at 10 Downing Street on a busy Diwali day on Sunday.

He also spoke of how he "really valued" that the newly appointed Foreign Secretary David Cameron made time to meet him on day one of his new jobs even before he "addressed his own ministry".

"It was extremely satisfying to hear from him about the commitment and support for the relationship. We spent a lot of time talking about cultivating both," Jaishankar said.

He shared that he also met Cameron's predecessor, new UK Home Secretary James Cleverly, whom he described as a "pillar of strength" for the bilateral relationship.

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