I arrived in Ahmedabad just over a year ago as the first British Deputy High Commissioner to the Vibrant State of Gujarat. The UK is the first country to open a diplomatic mission in the State. We did so because Gujarat is important to us. It is important politically. It is important economically. And, with over 600,000 people in the UK of Gujarati origin, it is important socially and culturally.
Gujaratis have been arriving in the UK since the 19th century. Since then, their contributions to politics, the economy, particularly in retail, culture and, of course, food, have been numerous and positive. It has been a pleasure for me to see at first hand in the past week the continued positive contributions being made by the Gujarati diaspora in London, Birmingham, Leicester and even in a small rural community in Somerset.
The UK government network in India is our biggest in any single country anywhere in the world – bigger than even the US or China. Again, this is only right given our historical ties, a common language and our shared values of democracy, respect for the rule of law, tolerance and pluralism. During his visit to the UK last November, Prime Minister Modi described India and the UK as ‘an unbeatable combination’. During that visit, more than £9 billion in commercial deals were agreed. The UK is the biggest G20 investor in India and India is the 3rd largest investor in the UK. The recent opening of the new British Council cultural centre in Ahmedabad is a further example of the UK’s long term commitment to developing and enhancing its relationship with the people of Gujarat.
My first impressions of living in Gujarat have been universally positive. Atithi Devo Bhava is certainly more than just a slogan in Gujarat. I have travelled from Bhuj to Vapi, from Jamnagar to Himatnagar, and I have been welcomed everywhere with generous, genuine and gracious hospitality. And it has been such a pleasure to see the renowned Gujarati entrepreneurial spirit in action. I am looking forward to spending the next three years seeing even more of Gujarat to develop even closer ties to the benefit of both our communities.
Geoff Wain
Deputy High Commissioner
British Deputy High Commission
