Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Starmer seeks post-Brexit reset with EU

Starmer has emphasised that improving ties with the EU is central to his strategy for boosting Britain's economic growth.

German chancellor Olaf Scholz and Starmer reach out to shake hands after a joint press conference following bilateral talks at the in Berlin on August 28. (Photo: Getty Images)
German chancellor Olaf Scholz and Starmer reach out to shake hands after a joint press conference following bilateral talks at the in Berlin on August 28. (Photo: Getty Images)

BRITAIN and Germany's leaders agreed in Berlin on Wednesday to work towards a comprehensive treaty addressing issues ranging from defence to trade. This treaty is seen as a key element in resetting British relations with the European Union (EU).

Keir Starmer, who recently assumed office, visited Germany and France with the goal of moving past the strained relations that marked the previous Conservative government's interactions with European allies. Starmer has emphasised that improving ties with the EU is central to his strategy for boosting Britain's economic growth.


Describing the proposed cooperation treaty as a significant opportunity for both nations, Starmer stated that it could enhance collaboration in areas such as science, technology, business, and culture, while also increasing trade. He emphasised that economic growth is the primary mission of his government.

Speaking at a press conference alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Starmer clarified that while the reset would not involve reversing Britain's 2020 exit from the EU or rejoining the bloc's single market or customs union, it would focus on fostering closer relationships in various sectors, including the economy and defence.

Scholz expressed Germany's willingness to engage with the UK, noting that Britain's role in addressing major European challenges remains crucial, even after its departure from the EU.

In a joint declaration, Britain and Germany announced their intention to sign the cooperation treaty during government consultations "by early next year." Additionally, defence ministers from both countries are working on a new defence agreement to follow the joint defence declaration signed in July.

However, Stephen Hunsaker, a trade researcher at the UK in a Changing Europe think tank, noted that any efforts to improve trade relations could be complicated by EU regulations and may only be feasible on the periphery.

The agreement comes at a time when both Britain and Germany, as NATO allies and significant defence spenders in Western Europe, are exploring ways to enhance defence cooperation. This effort is partly driven by concerns about a potential reduction in US military support for Ukraine, particularly if former US president Donald Trump returns to office.

Trump has suggested he would reassess NATO's mission and has not committed to continuing aid to Ukraine, raising concerns about the future of U.S. involvement in European defence. The selection of JD Vance as Trump's running mate, who has opposed extensive US financial support for Ukraine, has further heightened these concerns.

An Anglo-German defence partnership could potentially mirror the Lancaster House agreement between Britain and France from 2010, which included commitments to create a joint force and share military resources.

Starmer also mentioned plans to collaborate on addressing shared social issues, including the fight against illegal migration, with both countries agreeing to develop a joint action plan.

Starmer is scheduled to travel to Paris for the Paralympics opening ceremony on Wednesday night and will meet with business executives and President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday.

(With inputs from Reuters)

More For You

India and UK flags
Getty Images/iStockphoto

UK-India finance group marks one year, calls for steps to attract global investment

INDIA must take an investor-centric approach to attract global funding for its growing sustainable infrastructure needs, the UK-India Infrastructure Financing Bridge (UKIIFB) said in a report released in London on Monday.

The UKIIFB, co-chaired by NITI Aayog and the City of London Corporation, completed one year this week. The group was launched in September last year to help bridge the gap between global investor interest and infrastructure projects in India.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump CEOs

Sitting at the centre of a long table, Trump was flanked by First Lady Melania Trump and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on one side, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on the other. (Photo: Getty Images)

At White House dinner, Trump lauds Nadella, Pichai

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump praised Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Google CEO Sundar Pichai during a White House dinner with top technology executives on Thursday. The two Indian-American leaders thanked him for his leadership and for policies in the technology and AI sectors.

Trump described the gathering as a “high IQ group,” calling the executives “the most brilliant people.” Sitting at the centre of a long table, Trump was flanked by First Lady Melania Trump and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on one side, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on the other. Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Cook sat across from him, while Nadella was seated toward one end of the table.

Keep ReadingShow less
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has approached the court over misuse of her AI-generated images

Getty Images

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan moves to Indian court alleging her AI images are being misused to satisfy sexual desires

Highlights:

  • Actor seeks urgent protection of her personality and publicity rights.
  • Court signals ad-interim injunction against defendants misusing her name and likeness.
  • Plea highlights disturbing AI-generated pornographic images circulating online.
  • Next hearing scheduled before joint registrar on 7 November and full court on 15 January 2026.

Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has approached the Indian court to safeguard her personality rights after discovering that her name, photographs, and digitally manipulated images were being misused online. The actor’s petition draws attention to the rise of AI-generated pornographic content, calling it a grave violation of her dignity and privacy. Justice Tejas Karia has indicated that an ad-interim order may be passed to restrain the defendants from further misuse.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has approached the court over misuse of her AI-generated images Getty Images

Keep ReadingShow less
Karisma Kapoor inheritance

Karisma Kapoor’s children accuse Priya Kapur of suppressing will in £2.51bn Sunjay Kapur property battle

Karisma Kapoor’s kids allege Priya Kapur produced fake will in Sunjay Kapur’s £2.51bn inheritance dispute

Highlights:

  • Karisma Kapoor’s kids seek share in late father Sunjay Kapur’s £2.51bn (₹30,000 crore) estate
  • They accuse stepmother Priya Kapur of forging a will to take full control
  • Lawsuit requests recognition as Class I legal heirs and partition of assets
  • Interim plea filed to freeze Sunjay Kapur’s personal estate until case outcome

The inheritance battle over business tycoon Sunjay Kapur’s £2.51bn (₹30,000 crore) estate has reached the Indian court, with Karisma Kapoor’s children Samaira and Kiaan accusing their stepmother Priya Kapur of presenting a forged will. The suit has opened a new chapter in the Sunjay Kapur death case, less than three months after the auto components magnate and Sona Comstar chairman died during a polo match in Windsor, UK.

Karisma Kapoor inheritance Karisma Kapoor’s children accuse Priya Kapur of suppressing will in £2.51bn Sunjay Kapur property battle Instagram/therealsamairakapoor

Keep ReadingShow less
 India-EU-iStock

The visit coincides with the 13th round of India-EU negotiations on a proposed free trade agreement, which both sides aim to finalise by December. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

EU envoys to hold strategic talks in India, focus on trade and security

THE EUROPEAN Union's Political and Security Committee (PSC), made up of envoys from the 27 member states, will begin a five-day visit to India on Wednesday. The visit will focus on strengthening overall ties, including efforts to conclude a free trade agreement that has been under negotiation for years.

The committee, headed by Ambassador Delphine Pronk, is visiting India for the first time. It will hold strategic discussions with senior Indian government officials, defence industry representatives, civil society organisations and leading think tanks.

Keep ReadingShow less