External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held his first in-person meeting with newly appointed UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband in Manila, Philippines on Thursday, 23 July, with both sides focusing on consolidating bilateral momentum following the entry into force of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The talks also covered the broader India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which both nations have pledged to deepen.

What Was Discussed in Manila

Jaishankar congratulated Miliband on his appointment and, according to his own account of the meeting, the two agreed to 'build on the positive momentum generated through the recent India-UK FTA implementation.' The meeting, held on the sidelines of engagements in Manila, was the first face-to-face interaction between the two top diplomats since Miliband assumed the foreign affairs brief.

In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote: 'First meeting with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband of the UK in Manila, Philippines. Congratulated him on his appointment. Agreed to build on the positive momentum generated through the recent India-UK FTA implementation, and work towards strengthening our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.'

New UK Leadership and India's Response

Ed Miliband, who has represented Doncaster North as a Member of Parliament since May 2005, was appointed Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on Monday. He previously served as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero between July 2024 and July 2026. His appointment came as Andy Burnham, former Mayor of Greater Manchester, assumed office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom following Keir Starmer's formal departure in accordance with established procedure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Burnham on the same day, saying India and the UK would continue to strengthen their partnership across trade, investment, technology, and defence. In a post on X, Modi said: 'Warmest congratulations to Mr. Andy Burnham on assuming office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. India and the UK are bound by shared democratic values and enjoy wide-ranging cooperation across trade, investment, technology, defence and people-to-people relations. With CETA entering into force this month, our bilateral partnership is poised to grow even stronger.'

Modi added: 'I look forward to working closely with you to further deepen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and advance our shared Vision 2035.'

CETA: What Came Into Force

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced earlier this month that the India-UK CETA and the accompanying Agreement on Social Security became operational on 15 July. The agreement provides zero-duty market access for nearly 99 per cent of India's exports and covers almost 100 per cent of trade value between the two countries. In a post on X, Goyal called it 'a defining milestone in India-UK ties.'

PM Modi described the simultaneous entry into force of both agreements as 'a significant moment' in the bilateral relationship, adding that the pacts would deepen economic engagement and create new opportunities for businesses, workers, and investors on both sides.

What This Means Going Forward

The Manila meeting signals that New Delhi is moving swiftly to cultivate working relationships with the UK's new political leadership at both the prime ministerial and foreign secretary levels. With CETA now operational, the diplomatic focus is expected to shift toward implementation — ensuring that the promised market access translates into measurable trade and investment flows. The India-UK 'Vision 2035' framework, referenced by Modi, is likely to serve as the next structural milestone in the partnership's evolution.