India, often described as a new country with an ancient civilisation, has undergone remarkable transformations throughout its history. It is evident that India has made tremendous strides in various fields such as science and technology, economy, and human development. From its role as a global education hub in ancient times to its current status as a leading IT centre, India has evolved significantly.
When the British departed in 1947, India was left as a broken, underdeveloped nation struggling with economic instability. Fast forward to today, and India has dramatically changed. It is now the fifth-largest economy in the world, with a GDP of 147 lakh crore INR, representing 8 per cent of global GDP. Additionally, India has become Asia's third-largest electricity generator and boasts one of the largest defence systems globally. The country's road network has expanded from 399,000 km in 1951 to 4.7 million km by 2015, making it the third-largest roadway network worldwide.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, significant reforms have been introduced, including the abrogation of Article 370, enhancements to the defence sector, and initiatives to foster a startup-friendly environment. Modi's administration has also launched various programs aimed at boosting infrastructure and manufacturing, such as “Make in India,” “Digital India,” and the “Swachh Bharat” campaign.
India’s rich tapestry of food, art, and culture has achieved remarkable success on the global stage, enchanting audiences and tantalising taste buds around the world. The country’s artistic heritage, with its millennia-old traditions, showcases a deep historical richness and social complexity. Among its most influential cultural exports is Bollywood. India's film industry, renowned for its vibrant musicals, dramatic narratives, and elaborate dance sequences, has transcended borders and won the hearts of audiences globally. Together, these industries mark India as a significant cultural powerhouse.
Even in the UK, the Indian diaspora plays a significant role in the country’s economy and beyond. Comprising approximately 1.9 million individuals, this community makes up around 3.1 per cent of Britain’s population and is deeply involved in diverse areas including the economy, culture, healthcare, education, and politics.
As India celebrates its 78th Independence Day, we explore the evolving contributions of this vibrant country and diaspora community to British society.
Economic contribution of India in the UK
According to latest data by the UK’s Department of Business and Trade, total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) between the UK and India was £39.0 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q4 2023, an increase of 4.8 per cent or £1.8 billion in current prices from the four quarters to the end of Q4 2022. India was the UK’s 12th largest trading partner in the four quarters to the end of Q4 2023 accounting for 2.2 per cent of total UK trade.
In 2023 India was the second largest source market for the UK, bringing in 118 new projects and creating 8,384 jobs. A report has been produced jointly by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the High Commission of India in the UK, according to which, India remains the second largest investor in the UK. Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, Confederation of Indian Industry(CII) on the presentation of the report, said, “The UK-India 2030 Roadmap has made some significant achievements since its launch in 2021 by our leaders. These include the mutual recognition of higher education qualifications, new visa routes for young professionals and billions in FDI from both sides.
“Today, Indian companies with operations in the UK have integrated themselves into the British economy, making their mark in industries ranging from technology and finance to healthcare and manufacturing. Their ability to adapt, innovate, and forge meaningful partnerships has not only propelled their own growth but has also enriched the economy of the UK and its regions, promoting job creation, driving investment, and fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion.
“The India-UK bilateral relationship is based not only on economics but also on shared beliefs and values. It is our people-to-people and cultural links and our common democratic traditions that bind our two nations. The strength of the India-UK relationship is anchored in the people-to-people connections across the ‘living bridge’ of the 1.8 million strong Indian Diaspora in the UK.”
Reflecting on how far India has come, Arbinder Chatwal, partner at BDO UK reminisces of the time when India was often viewed as a challenging market due to political instability and economic difficulties. “However, the landscape has shifted dramatically. Despite the global turbulence, India now stands as a beacon of stability and progress in the global market”, he said.
“Just a decade ago, the contrast between India and the rest of the world was stark. Today, India's moment has arrived. The country's rapid development, robust infrastructure, and political stability are impressive and envied by many. As an Indian, whether resident or non-resident, one has every reason to be proud of this progress”, Arbinder added.
From a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) perspective, Arbinder is of the opinion that it is in the UK's interest to strengthen its relationship with India, especially given the growing investments and opportunities. He stresses his point, adding, “The UK needs to move beyond discussing its special relationship with India and actually take concrete actions. While other countries like France, Russia, the US, and parts of the EU are also vying for closer links with India, the UK must prioritise and finalise these agreements promptly.”
“In addition to focusing on the FTA, it’s critical to get immigration policies, especially student visas, right. This is a significant opportunity for both countries. Currently, despite having a number of highly skilled Indian graduates and professionals in my business, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to bring them over. If we fail to address these issues, other markets may gain a competitive edge by attracting this talent.”
Making the NHS stronger
Indian healthcare professionals have long been sought after in international markets, and the UK is no exception. Statistics highlight their significant impact on the UK healthcare sector. As of March 2021, among the 190,571 NHS staff with non-British nationality, approximately 32,117 were of Indian origin. Furthermore, of the 65,600 non-British nurses, around 14,777 were Indian.
According to Rohit Sagoo, Founder and director of British Sikh Nurses, Indian doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals have played an instrumental role for decades. He said, “Indian medical professionals have been pivotal in addressing critical healthcare needs, especially in areas such as cardiac care and diabetes management—conditions with high prevalence in the South Asian community.
“The rise of community and faith-based nursing initiatives, such as those led by British Sikh Nurses, has further enhanced healthcare delivery by addressing health inequalities and promoting mental health awareness, organ donation, and cultural humility care within these communities.”
In Rohit’s opinion, over the years, the participation of the Indian diaspora in the NHS has evolved significantly. He shared that while initially, many Indian doctors filled crucial gaps in the NHS, particularly in underserved areas., today, the involvement of Indian healthcare professionals has expanded, with increasing numbers of internationally educated nurses from India joining the NHS workforce. “This growth is supported by training programs in India that prepare nurses for the specific demands of the NHS, marking a shift towards the intentional export of healthcare professionals to the UK”, he added.
Aside from the bright an merry, Indian healthcare professionals face unique challenges within the NHS as well. Rohit shared that adapting to British culture and healthcare practices, including understanding colloquial language, accents, and cultural nuances, can be daunting. Additionally, the transition often involves overcoming communication barriers and navigating a healthcare system that may differ significantly from their training. “Organisations like British Sikh Nurses provide essential pastoral support, helping Indian healthcare workers feel a sense of belonging and connectedness. This support is crucial for fostering a more inclusive environment; however, reducing reliance on overseas nurses is critical to encouraging British South Asians to pursue careers in nursing and midwifery, which will sustain the NHS's multicultural workforce”, he said.
Deputy Medical Director for North East Essex ICB, Dr U A Tanvir Alam also shared how NHS can support their Indian healthcare professionals in their career progression and in overcoming barriers related to race and ethnicity, He said, “The NHS can improve cultural safety in the workplace, improve dignity and workforce standards, improve true whistleblowing without persecution, help keep the GMC and CQC in check which are also institutionally discriminatory and break the 'glass ceiling' for development into senior roles- present workforce at 35 per cent and expected to climb exponentially, but only 17 per cent in senior management and leadership (for all ethnicity combined).”
India’s remarkable rise and the living bridge
Lord Karan Bilimoria, who is the co- chair of the new India All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), wishing India on its 78th Independence Day, shared his view about India’s achievement. He said, “India is a relatively young country and if you look at how much India has achieved, it has been quite extraordinary. It is quite remarkable how India, in this short period of time, is an emerging global economic superpower. The country is poised to continue growing in strength on the global stage.”
Lord Bilimoria also gave an insight into the UK-India relationship and the contributions of the Indian diaspora, stating, “The relationship between the UK and India is incredibly special, and I believe it should be as close as possible.
“We are fortunate to have a living bridge of 1.8 million people of Indian origin in the UK, who act as ambassadors for the UK-India relationship. The Indian community here is not only the largest ethnic minority in the UK but also one of the most successful, excelling in various fields and breaking glass ceilings.
“From having an Indian-origin Prime Minister to my own experiences as the first ethnic minority President of the Confederation of British Industry and the first Indian-born Chancellor at a Russell Group University, the achievements of the Indian diaspora are a source of pride. The community contributes significantly to the UK’s population, economy, and culture.
“Moreover, I am proud of India’s robust democracy and stability, especially in our current unstable world. India’s strong position and democratic values make it a crucial ally for the UK. Moving forward, it is essential that we build on this foundation of trust and mutual respect between our two countries.”
