Addressing a gathering of the Indian diaspora, UK ministers and officials at the annual celebration organised by the Indian High Commission in London's Guildhall on Monday to mark the 71st Republic Day celebration, the High Commissioner of India to UK, Mrs Ruchi Ghanashyam hailed the UK and India as “natural partners” in many areas, including the fight against terrorism. She emphasised that false narratives and propaganda are being spread against India by mutating forms of terrorism to create disharmony, threaten peace and prevent progress in the country, the PTI reported.
While expressing confidence in a young India innovating its way through the challenges, she particularly congratulated two India-friendly MPs in the UK, who have been recently honoured with the Padma Shri viz. Labour MP and shadow secretary of state for international trade Barry Gardiner and Conservative Party MP Bob Blackman.
The event, marked by traditional Indian dance performances from different parts of India including the North East, also included an address by ministers in the UK government.
James Cleverly, the Chairman of the ruling Conservative Party, made a reference to the election of 15 Indian-origin MPs in last month’s General Election, which resulted in the “most desi Cabinet in history” with three Indian-origin ministers as a sign of the thriving bilateral ties, set to be further enhanced after Brexit.
The minister also reportedly highlighted a 63% hike in Indian student numbers to the UK, which is expected to increase further with the introduction of the post-study work visa offer from later this year.
Lord Tariq Ahmad, the minister for Commonwealth Affairs in the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, also spoke of the strong “desi flavour” in the UK government and across both houses of Parliament as he focussed on enhancing India-UK collaboration within the Commonwealth.
