UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 07 JULY 2023
Organised by Chairman of India Inc Group and Visiting Professor in Media and Communications Manoj Ladwa, the fifth annual India Global Forum UK-India Week event aimed to strengthen relationships between India and the UK for the mutual benefit of the two nations.
The event was held at the Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre in Westminster, and was attended by a number of influential speakers and delegates, including Leader of the Labour Party and Opposition Sir Keir Starmer.
The aim of the event was to facilitate discussion between business, politics, culture and health leaders, and foster bilateral relations. Head of Compliance Anita Virk, Senior Development Manager Makhan Singh and Associate Professor Steve McCabe attended the opening event, which celebrated the longstanding relationship between the UK and India that has the potential to flourish through technology, innovation and collaborative partnerships between academia and business.
This vision was articulated in a ‘Conversation’ between the High Commissioner of India to the UK Vikram Doraiswami and British High Commissioner to India Alexander Ellis, who were both enthusiastic about strengthening ties.
The Conversation was followed by a keynote from the Leader of the Labour Party and Opposition Sir Keir Starmer, who addressed the importance of the historical bond between UK and India, and that immigrants from the latter have become a key diaspora who have positively contributed to every aspect of British society, including PM Rishi Sunak.
Sir Keir told the audience that if he becomes the next Prime Minister, he sees the development of a trade deal between the UK and India as the first step in wider strategic partnership.
A ‘Fireside Chat’ followed his keynote speech, where Sir Keir answered questions about his stance on a number of topics including the benefits and threats of AI, particularly in improving healthcare. He was also quizzed on the UK’s departure from the European Union, climate change and his thoughts on strengthening economic ties.
Sir Keir emphasised his commitment to creating a “mission-driven government” that will nurture a fertile entrepreneurial climate, which will attract increased business investment from India to supplement the almost 1,000 firms already operating in the UK.
Professor Manoj Ladwa stated: “There is no other bilateral relationship that has the history, breadth and depth, and mutual ambition that our two great nations share – be it in trade and investment, science and innovation, skills, education, defence, and of course the richest of all, and remarkable tapestry of our cultural and people ties. We have all the makings of an unbreakable winning global partnership."
Pictured: Sir Keir Starmer