External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar congratulated Ed Miliband on his appointment as the UK Foreign Secretary, expressing confidence in advancing the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Jaishankar highlighted the strong momentum in bilateral ties, including the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
Key Highlights
- EAM S. Jaishankar congratulated Ed Miliband on becoming the UK Foreign Secretary.
- India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership continues to gain momentum.
- Jaishankar highlighted the implementation of the India-UK CETA.
- Miliband previously co-chaired the India-UK Energy Dialogue and strengthened clean energy cooperation.
New Delhi, July 22: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Tuesday congratulated Ed Miliband on his appointment as the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, expressing optimism about working together to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said, “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.”
Ed Miliband, who was elected as the Member of Parliament for Doncaster North in 2005, assumed office as the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on Monday. Before taking charge of the UK’s foreign affairs portfolio, he served as the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero from July 2024 to July 2026.
During his political career, Miliband has held several senior ministerial positions, including Minister for the Cabinet Office and Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change between 2008 and 2010. In that role, he oversaw the introduction of the Climate Change Act 2008, making the United Kingdom the first country to enshrine legally binding climate targets.
He also served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition from 2010 to 2015, besides holding key shadow cabinet portfolios covering business, energy, industrial strategy, and net zero.
India and the United Kingdom have expanded cooperation across multiple sectors in recent years, including trade, investment, clean energy, technology, defence and education. In 2025, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) entered into force, giving fresh momentum to bilateral economic relations.
As the UK’s Secretary for Energy Security and Net Zero, Miliband co-chaired the Fourth India-UK Energy Dialogue with Union Minister Manohar Lal. The two sides reviewed cooperation in power, renewable energy, offshore wind and green hydrogen, and announced the establishment of the UK-India Offshore Wind Taskforce to promote offshore wind development, supply chains and financing models.
The dialogue also advanced collaboration between the UK’s Energy Systems Catapult and India’s Power Trading Corporation, reflecting the growing partnership in clean energy and sustainable infrastructure.
Ed Miliband’s appointment as UK Foreign Secretary comes at a time when India-UK relations are witnessing unprecedented momentum across strategic, economic and energy sectors. Jaishankar’s congratulatory message underscores both countries’ commitment to further expanding cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
