New Delhi: Minister of state for external affairs V Muraleedharan on Tuesday held discussions with UK minister of state for South Asia and the Commonwealth Tariq Ahmad on important bilateral matters, including cooperation on a vaccine for COVID-19.
The two leaders also discussed strengthening of bilateral cooperation at multilateral fora.
Muraleedharan, in a tweet said, he had an excellent discussion with Ahmad.
Had an excellent discussion with the UK MoS Lord @tariqahmadbt.
— V. Muraleedharan (@MOS_MEA) July 28, 2020
Exchanged views on important bilateral matters including 🇮🇳|🇬🇧 trade & commerce, cooperation on vaccine for #COVID19 as well as strengthening our cooperation in multilateral fora. @narendramodi @DrSJaishankar pic.twitter.com/xmSGzHzeb7
“The UK flag of United Kingdom and India Flag of India are working together on the biggest issue facing the world today – a search for a Covid Vaccine. Only cold chain tech makes distribution possible. Delighted to speak with roundtable participants. Together we can be a game-changer [Sic],” Ahmad said in a tweet.
India and Britain will deepen scientific research collaboration with five new projects to tackle anti-microbial resistance (AMR) that could lead to advances in the global fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes.
The UK 🇬🇧 and India 🇮🇳 are working together on the biggest issue facing the world today – a search for a Covid Vaccine. Only cold chain tech makes distribution possible. Delighted to speak with roundtable participants. Together we can be a game-changer. pic.twitter.com/i5xbKoT8Rm
— Lord (Tariq)Ahmad of Wimbledon (@tariqahmadbt) July 28, 2020
The five projects are planned to start in September once they receive the appropriate clearances.
Britain is contributing £4 million from the UK Research and Innovation Fund for International Collaboration, and India will match this with an equal amount.
The Indian side will be represented by the department of biotechnology.
The funding awards by the UK were announced by Ahmad ahead of a virtual visit to India, on Tuesday.
