FOREIGN OFFICE MINISTER LORD AHMAD VISITS INDIA FOR TALKS ON CYBER SECURITY AND THE COMMONWEALTH

Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Commonwealth and the UN at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, is paying his second visit to India as an FCO minister.

Lord Ahmad delivered a speech at the Global Conference on Cyberspace, 2017 on 23

November. This is the fifth round of the flagship conference that was inaugurated in

London in 2011. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi delivered the keynote speech

opening the conference on “Cyber4All: A safe, secure and inclusive Cyberspace for

Sustainable development.”  

On his arrival in India, Lord Ahmad said:

“India and the UK are leading the world in harnessing new technologies to stimulate

economic growth and financial inclusion.  I am delighted to attend the Global Conference on Cyberspace in Delhi, especially given the UK’s role in organising the first GCCS in 2011. The conference brings together actors from across industry, academia, civil society and governments who all have an important part to play in maintaining a free, open, peaceful and secure internet.

I am looking forward to meeting with my counterparts to discuss how we ensure the

Commonwealth is delivering a more secure future for all our citizens.

Lord Ahmad also said:

"We are delighted to be progressing a 'Framework for the UK-India Cyber Relationship that will articulate our common commitment to maintaining the increasing economic and social benefits enabled by a free, open peaceful and secure cyberspace”

On the second day of his visit, Lord Ahmad will host a breakfast reception with

Commonwealth Ministers to discuss cyber security ahead of the Commonwealth Summit which will take place in London in April 2018, where leaders will work to address common challenges, such as cyber security, to deliver a more secure future.

UNCLASSIFIED

Lord Ahmad will also meet ministers from other countries attending and host a round-table of Indian Chevening alumni who have benefited from the British Government’s flagship fellowship scheme on cyber security.

NOTES FOR EDITORSNOTES FOR EDITORS

? To view Lord Ahmad’s CV, please visit:

https://www.gov.uk/government/people/lord-ahmad- of-wimbledon

? Details of Lord Ahmad’s previous visit to India:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/india-and- uk-working- together-to- improve-

gender-equality- in-the- workplace

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