India, UK discuss Afghanistan; agree to deepen cooperation in defence & security

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met UK foreign secretary Elizabeth Truss and held talks with a focus on infrastructure investment, defence and security cooperation. The UK foreign secretary also congratulated India on vaccinating 1 billion people. "The meet gives us a chance to review the progress on the roadmap 2030. Geo-political and political developments in our region, closer to your region. There is the larger issue of how we deal with covid & its consequences," the EAM said. "I am delighted to make this one of my early priorities as foreign secretary. It is because we see our partnership with India as absolutely crucial. Important that countries like ours act together on our shared plans for the future. We have an opportunity to deepen our relationship in security & defence, health," the UK foreign secretary said. Truss also met FM Nirmala Sitharaman and minister of environment Bhupender Yadav. India and the UK agreed to strengthen climate initiatives and further their green partnership. Sitharaman & truss discussed investments in green energy, infrastructure and fintech.