The links between Indian High Commission and the Liberal Democrats Party UK were rekindled at the Liberal Democrats Friends of India dinner hosted by the High Commissioner of India Mr YK Sinha at the Party's autumn conference in Bournemouth earlier this week.
The event was attended by a number of the great and the good from the Lib Dems including the leader Sir Vince Cable, the CEO Nick Harvey and Lord Navnit Dholakia together with a host of peers as well as former party leader Tim Farron plus several former MPs including Sir Simon Hughes and senior local councillors.
Welcoming the guests former MP for Leicester South Parmjit Gill recalled that Liberal Party was the first UK Party to elect an Indian - Dadabhai Nairoji - to the British Parliament in 1892. Parmjit was the second in 2004.
Lord Dholakia who established the Lib Dem Friends of India many years back said he was sorry that the link between the High Commission and The Lib Dems had weakened over the past few years One of the traditions of the link was for the Commission to host a dinner at our annual autumn conference But the last of these was some five years back Lord Dholakia thanked the commissioner for renewing that tradition.
Sir Vince Cable spoke of the important part India plays in the British Economy and that it was essential for that the business and political future of the UK that this relationship was maintained and strengthened He pledged to do all he and the Liberal Democrats could do to help that process.
The High Commissioner spoke about the fact that as a growing economy India going to become an increasingly important strategic trading partner for the uk
This role will become even more critical in the context of BREXIT He said the Liberal Democrats had an opportunity to play the role of an honest broker in the process which he was pleased to hear Sir Vince Cable say the Liberal Democrats were up for.
Concluding the proceedings with a vote of thanks to the Commission for hosting the event and to Vice Cable for fitting it in his heavy schedule Councillor Rabi Martins said Lib Dem Friends of India would put itself at the disposal of the High Commission to progress the propositions from both sides.
