Indian envoy in Ethiopia holds briefing India–UK FTA and Operation Sindoor

The briefing concluded with a minute of silence for the victims of the Pahalgam attack.

Briefing to Ethiopian media by Ambassador Anil Rai / Courtesy Photo

Ambassador Anil Rai, India’s envoy to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, led a high-level media briefing on May 8, outlining India’s latest economic and security milestones.

Speaking to foreign media, strategic analysts, and Indian diaspora leaders, Rai highlighted India’s economic ascent, citing the IMF World Economic Outlook 2025, which ranks India as the world’s fourth-largest economy, ahead of Japan. He projected continued growth with India expected to soon overtake Germany.

Also read: INDIA-PAKISTAN CONFLICT: UPDATE OF MAY 8 EVENTS

The ambassador announced the historic conclusion of the India–UK FTA on May 6, granting 99 percent tariff-free access to Indian goods and opening key sectors like services, IT, and skilled mobility. Calling it a “landmark in global trade engagement,” Rai emphasized the FTA’s potential to deepen India’s global economic footprint.

Rai also detailed Operation Sindoor, a precision strike by India on nine verified terror launchpads in Pakistan and PoJK conducted on the night of May 6–7. He underscored the operation’s strategic nature as non-escalatory, avoiding civilian and military infrastructure, yet delivering a decisive message.

The Ambassador exposed Pakistan’s military-terror nexus and its role in the Pahalgam terrorist attack, citing The Resistance Front's (TRF) involvement and Pakistan’s obstruction of references to the group in UN Security Council statements.

He further highlighted India’s global counter-terrorism leadership, including UNSC sanctions proposals, partnerships with 26 nations, and active roles in SAARC, SCO-RATS, BIMSTEC, BRICS, and UN-led anti-terror frameworks.

Comments

This is a Premium Article, available exclusively to our subscribers.

Read 500+ such News or articles every month by subscribing today!
Monthly

Free

Limited Access

Limited View

Free weekly E-Paper

Subscribe Now
Monthly

$10

Full Access

Unlimited View

Free weekly E-Paper

Free daily newsletter

Subscribe Now
Annual

$50

Full Access

Unlimited View

Free weekly E-Paper

Free daily newsletter

Subscribe Now
Start the conversation

Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.

Sign Up Now

Already have an account? Login