By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, FEB 06, 2021: FINANCE Minister Ms Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday met UK's Secretary of State for International Trade Ms Mary Elizabeth Truss and highlighted the various reforms brought in through the Budget 2021-22.

During the meeting, Ms Truss congratulated India for a "forward-looking modern budget with its focus on investments and recovery in the post COVID-19 world," said an official statement from the Ministry of Finance.

She further complimented India on its prompt and effective response to the pandemic.

"The close collaboration in the sphere of COVID vaccine, demonstrated the close and trusted partnership between the two countries. The UK government looks forward to working closer with the world's largest democracy," the statement added.

Ms Sitharaman highlighted the reforms brought in through the newly announced budget and suggested areas of closer cooperation with the UK, including investments in infrastructure, insurance sector, integrating small and medium enterprises in the global value chain.

"The finance minister recognised the close collaboration between the two countries in various fields being pursued through the India-UK annual Economic and Financial Dialogue," it said.

It was also noted that India and UK are also working on customs cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters.

Ms Truss is in India to hold talks with the Ministries of Finance, and Commerce and Industry, following a virtual dialogue to review progress on a closer post-Brexit bilateral tie-up and a precursor to the proposed visit of UK Prime Minister Mr Boris Johnson ahead of the G7 summit.