Jaishankar congratulates Ed Miliband on becoming UK Foreign Secretary
Synopsis
India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar moved quickly to congratulate Ed Miliband on becoming UK Foreign Secretary, flagging CETA and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as foundations to build on. With Miliband already deeply embedded in India-UK energy cooperation — including co-chairing the Fourth India-UK Energy Dialogue — New Delhi sees his elevation as a continuity dividend.
Key Takeaways
Jaishankar congratulated Ed Miliband on his appointment as UK Foreign Secretary on 21 July via a post on X.
Jaishankar cited the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the entry into force of CETA as markers of recent bilateral momentum.
Ed Miliband was appointed Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on 20 July , having previously served as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero from July 2024 to July 2026 .
Miliband co-chaired the Fourth India-UK Energy Dialogue with Union Minister Manohar Lal , during which the UK-India Offshore Wind Taskforce was established.
He oversaw the Climate Change Act 2008 , making the UK the first country to legally bind climate targets — a legacy relevant to ongoing India-UK clean energy cooperation.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday, 21 July extended congratulations to Ed Miliband on his appointment as the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, reaffirming India's intent to deepen bilateral ties under the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Jaishankar's Message
'Congratulate Ed Miliband on his appointment as UK Foreign Secretary. The India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has witnessed a strong momentum in recent years, including the entry into force of CETA. Look forward to working together to advance our cooperation,' Jaishankar posted on X.
The message signals continuity in New Delhi's engagement with London, coming at a time when the two nations have been consolidating trade, energy, and strategic ties following the operationalisation of CETA.
Who Is Ed Miliband
Ed Miliband was first elected as Member of Parliament for Doncaster North in May 2005. He was appointed to his new foreign affairs role on Monday, 20 July, succeeding in one of the most senior positions in the British Cabinet.
Miliband previously served as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero from July 2024 to July 2026. Earlier in his career, he held the post of Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change from 2008 to 2010, during which he oversaw the passage of the landmark Climate Change Act 2008 — making the UK the first country in the world to enshrine climate targets in law. He also served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition from 2010 to 2015.
India-UK Energy Ties: A Shared Track Record
Miliband's elevation is particularly significant for the India-UK energy partnership. In his previous role, he co-chaired the Fourth India-UK Energy Dialogue alongside Union Minister Manohar Lal, reviewing progress across power and renewable energy sectors.
At that dialogue, both sides announced the establishment of a UK-India Offshore Wind Taskforce, focused on advancing offshore wind ecosystem development, supply chains, and financing models in both countries. They also discussed trade missions centred on offshore wind and green hydrogen, as well as cooperation between the UK's Energy Systems Catapult and India's Power Trading Corporation.
What This Means for India-UK Relations
Miliband's appointment brings to the foreign affairs brief a figure already familiar with India's energy and climate priorities — a continuity that New Delhi is likely to view as an asset. The India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which has gained momentum in recent years, covers defence, trade, technology, and clean energy.
With CETA now in force and the offshore wind taskforce operational, both governments are expected to build on existing frameworks rather than start from scratch. The coming months will test whether the bilateral relationship can sustain its recent pace under Miliband's new mandate.
Point of View
Not just courtesy — it publicly anchors India's expectation that Miliband will carry his energy-sector familiarity into the foreign policy brief. Miliband is one of the few incoming foreign ministers who has already sat across the table from Indian counterparts in a formal bilateral dialogue, which reduces the usual friction of a new appointment. The real question is whether his transition from climate-focused energy minister to a full-spectrum foreign secretary will sustain the India-UK partnership's momentum on harder geopolitical files — defence, technology transfer, and diaspora policy — where progress has been slower than the headline rhetoric suggests.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jaishankar congratulate Ed Miliband?
EAM S. Jaishankar congratulated Ed Miliband on his appointment as UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on 21 July. Jaishankar used the occasion to reaffirm India's intent to advance cooperation under the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, citing the recent entry into force of CETA.
What is the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership?
The India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is a bilateral framework covering defence, trade, technology, and clean energy cooperation. It has gained significant momentum in recent years, including the operationalisation of CETA, and serves as the overarching structure for India-UK diplomatic and economic engagement.
What role did Miliband play in India-UK energy cooperation?
In his previous role as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Miliband co-chaired the Fourth India-UK Energy Dialogue with Indian Union Minister Manohar Lal. The dialogue led to the establishment of the UK-India Offshore Wind Taskforce and discussions on green hydrogen and cooperation between the UK's Energy Systems Catapult and India's Power Trading Corporation.
What is CETA and why does it matter for India-UK ties?
CETA, referenced by Jaishankar in his congratulatory message, marks a key milestone in the India-UK trade relationship and has recently entered into force. Its operationalisation is seen as a tangible outcome of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and a foundation for deeper economic engagement under Miliband's new foreign affairs mandate.
