Union External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Tuesday, 21 July 2026 congratulated Ed Miliband on his appointment as United Kingdom Foreign Secretary, signalling India's readiness to deepen bilateral ties under the new British foreign policy leadership. Jaishankar specifically highlighted the strong momentum of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the entry into force of CETA — the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between the two nations.

Context

Posting on X, Dr. Jaishankar wrote: '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.' The message was accompanied by the Indian and British flag emojis, underscoring the diplomatic warmth India intends to carry forward with the new UK administration.

Ed Miliband, a senior figure in the UK Labour Party and former Leader of the Opposition, previously served as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change under Prime Minister Gordon Brown. His appointment as Foreign Secretary marks a significant elevation in his role on the international stage.

Policy Backdrop

The India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was formally launched in May 2021 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's virtual summit with then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The partnership spans trade, defence, health, climate, and people-to-people ties, and has been one of the most actively pursued bilateral frameworks in recent Indian foreign policy.

The entry into force of CETA — referenced explicitly by Jaishankar — represents a landmark in the trade dimension of this partnership, removing or reducing tariffs and creating new market-access opportunities for both economies. The agreement had been years in negotiation, and its operationalisation marks a concrete deliverable for both governments.

Dr. Jaishankar, who also served as India's Ambassador to the United States, China, and Singapore before becoming Foreign Secretary and later Cabinet Minister, has been a consistent advocate for elevating India's strategic partnerships with major democracies, including the United Kingdom.

Stakeholders and Impact

For the Indian business community, the activation of CETA opens pathways in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, IT services, and financial services — areas where Indian exporters have long sought greater access to the British market. The Indian diaspora in the UK, numbering over 1.8 million, also stands to benefit from strengthened people-to-people frameworks under the partnership.

On the British side, Miliband's appointment brings a Labour foreign policy perspective to a relationship that has been cultivated across party lines in Westminster. His known emphasis on multilateralism and climate diplomacy could open new avenues for India-UK cooperation in global forums, including the United Nations and the G20.

What's Next

Dr. Jaishankar's message explicitly states he looks forward to 'working together to advance our cooperation,' indicating that a formal bilateral engagement between the two foreign ministers is anticipated. A meeting on the sidelines of an upcoming multilateral summit — such as the UN General Assembly in New York — would be a natural next step.

With CETA now in force and the strategic partnership framework well-established, the Jaishankar-Miliband diplomatic relationship will be closely watched as a barometer of how the new UK Labour government positions itself on the Indo-Pacific and on deepening ties with one of the world's fastest-growing major economies.