India has established early contact with the Rishi Sunak government as British foreign secretary James Cleverly is expected to follow up his telephone conversation with external affairs minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday with an India visit later this week.

Cleverly is scheduled to visit India to participate in the special meeting of the UN Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) being hosted by the external affairs ministry in Mumbai and Delhi on Friday and Saturday.

While no bilateral meetings have been announced, it cannot be ruled out as Jaishankar will also be present in Mumbai on Friday with representatives of other member states of the United Nations Security Council to lay a wreath at the 26/11 terror attack memorial.

The British foreign secretary’s visit was announced by secretary (West) Sanjay Verma on Wednesday while briefing mediapersons about the special meeting of the CTC.

On Tuesday, Cleverly had called Jaishankar soon after Sunak reappointed him foreign secretary. Both ministers tweeted about the conversation.

Cleverly said: “Great to speak with India’s External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar today. We discussed the Russia-Ukraine crisis and that the UK will be challenging Russia’s rhetoric and allegations during the UNSC today.”

Jaishankar tweeted: “Received a call from UK Foreign Secretary @JamesCleverly. Discussed counter-terrorism, bilateral relations and the Ukraine conflict.”

Cleverly had advocated a stronger trading relationship with India earlier this month after his cabinet colleague Suella Braverman’s comment about Indians being the largest community among those who overstay in the UK apparently upset India.