Jaishankar meets UK Foreign Secy Miliband in Manila
Synopsis
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband for the first time in Manila on 23 July 2026, agreeing to build on India-UK FTA momentum and strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Key Takeaways
Jaishankar held his first meeting with UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband in Manila, Philippines on 23 July 2026 .
Jaishankar congratulated Miliband on his appointment as the UK's Foreign Secretary.
Both sides agreed to build on the 'positive momentum' from the recent India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) implementation.
The ministers committed to strengthening the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership , established in May 2021 .
The meeting took place on the sidelines of a multilateral engagement, reflecting India's active Indo-Pacific diplomatic footprint.
The FTA, whose formal negotiations began in January 2022 , is central to translating strategic goals into commercial outcomes for Indian exporters and UK businesses .
Union External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar held his first meeting with newly appointed United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband on the sidelines of a multilateral engagement in Manila, Philippines, on Thursday, 23 July 2026. The two ministers congratulated each other and agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation, with a focus on building upon the positive momentum generated through the recent implementation of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Context
Dr. Jaishankar took to X to share news of the encounter, writing that he 'congratulated him on his appointment' and that both sides 'agreed to build on the positive momentum generated through the recent India-UK FTA implementation, and work towards strengthening our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.' The meeting marks the first direct engagement between the two countries' top diplomats since Miliband assumed the office of Foreign Secretary in the United Kingdom.
The venue — Manila — signals that the meeting took place on the margins of a regional forum, reflecting India's growing practice of leveraging multilateral gatherings in the Indo-Pacific for high-value bilateral diplomacy.
Policy Backdrop
India and the UK launched formal negotiations for a free trade agreement in January 2022, following an announcement of intent in 2021. The two nations had also established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and adopted a Roadmap 2030 during a virtual summit in May 2021, setting out ambitions across trade, defence, technology, and people-to-people links.
The FTA's implementation phase, described by Jaishankar as generating 'positive momentum,' is seen as a concrete translation of that strategic framework into commercial outcomes. For Indian exporters and UK businesses, the agreement opens pathways in sectors ranging from services and pharmaceuticals to advanced manufacturing.
The engagement also fits within India's post-Brexit push to secure and operationalise trade deals with major economies, as New Delhi diversifies its economic partnerships beyond traditional blocs.
Stakeholders and Impact
Indian exporters — particularly in textiles, IT services, and pharmaceuticals — stand to benefit from smoother market access under the FTA framework. UK businesses eyeing India's large consumer market and skilled workforce have similarly flagged the agreement as a priority.
The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership also carries significance for defence and technology cooperation, areas where both governments have signalled intent to deepen collaboration. Ed Miliband, known for his focus on clean energy in his earlier political career, may bring a renewed emphasis on green technology and climate cooperation to the bilateral agenda.
What's Next
The Manila meeting is expected to set the tone for the next formal bilateral summit and a review of FTA utilisation through the Joint Economic and Trade Committee. Both sides will be watched for announcements on new deliverables under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including potential cooperation in defence, critical technologies, and education. The pace at which the FTA's implementation translates into measurable trade gains will be a key benchmark for the relationship going forward.
Point of View
Jaishankar is pushing the relationship into an accountability phase, where deliverables matter more than declarations. The choice of a multilateral venue in the Indo-Pacific also underscores New Delhi's strategy of embedding bilateral wins within its broader regional engagement calculus. How Miliband responds — particularly on trade utilisation timelines and technology cooperation — will reveal whether the UK's new diplomatic leadership shares India's urgency on the relationship.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ed Miliband and why did Jaishankar meet him in Manila?
Ed Miliband is the United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary. EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar met him for the first time in Manila on 23 July 2026, on the sidelines of a multilateral engagement, to congratulate him on his appointment and discuss strengthening India-UK ties.
What is the India-UK Free Trade Agreement and when did negotiations begin?
The India-UK Free Trade Agreement is a bilateral trade deal aimed at boosting commerce between the two nations. Formal negotiations were launched in January 2022 following an announcement of intent in 2021, and its implementation is now described as generating positive momentum.
What is the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership?
The India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is a bilateral framework established in May 2021, alongside a Roadmap 2030, covering cooperation in trade, defence, technology, and people-to-people links.
Where did Jaishankar and Miliband meet and why was Manila chosen?
The meeting took place in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, on 23 July 2026. The venue suggests it was a sideline meeting during a regional multilateral forum, consistent with India's practice of using such gatherings for bilateral diplomacy.
What are the next steps after the Jaishankar-Miliband meeting in Manila?
Both sides are expected to work towards the next formal bilateral summit and a Joint Economic and Trade Committee review of FTA utilisation, with new deliverables anticipated under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in defence, technology, and education.
