Miliband as UK Foreign Secretary and India Set Energy‑Climate Agenda

Delhi – The appointment of Ed Miliband as the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs marks a new chapter for India‑UK cooperation on energy and climate matters. S. Jaishankar, India's external affairs minister, congratulated Miliband on X and underscored the importance of aligning the two countries' climate objectives.

Miliband brings to the role a strong background in energy policy, having steered the UK's Energy Security and Net‑Zero portfolio from 2024 to 2026. He also guided the historic 2008 Climate Change Act, which legally anchored the UK's emissions targets.

Jaishankar highlighted recent joint actions, including the fourth India‑UK Energy Dialogue where both sides evaluated progress in offshore wind farms, green hydrogen pilots and cross‑border power trading mechanisms. The meeting announced the launch of a UK‑India Offshore Wind Taskforce to accelerate ecosystem development, supply‑chain integration and financing models.

Both ministers also discussed collaboration between the UK's Energy Systems Catapult and India's Power Trading Corporation, aiming to share best practices in grid modernization and renewable integration.

The Indian foreign minister stated that the new UK foreign secretary's expertise will be instrumental in scaling up joint projects, strengthening climate finance, and ensuring the strategic partnership delivers tangible benefits for both economies.