Q - Do you want to press Control, Alt, Delete, and reset relations between the UK and India?
KS: I do think we need to look forward or backwards. And I think from time-to-time resetting is the right approach. What I'm trying to sell out today isn't the basis of that future relationship but recognises the past, of course, what actually sees the two countries now going together in a relationship of openness and respect in the way I've tried to set out. So, it's very much looking forward, or backward knowledge in history, but actually setting up the aspiration the ambition for the future.
Q - It's fair to say that the relationship between the Labour Party in India has been challenging, maybe even prickly. Why do you think that is?
KS: There are lots of issues in the Labour Party where over the last two years, we have openly taken the decision to change our party to look out to the world in a different way. And to recognise when it comes to India well to what an incredibly powerful country in the areas of authenticity going forward, and to ensure that we have the right relationship forward. And that's why I want to be open about the (free) trade deal, which I hope we can negotiate. So obviously, the number of rounds still works, we share that ambition. But here's the first step. In our strategic partnership, it goes way beyond just the trade.
What would you push in order to get that trade deal done? I do think it's a question of being clear about what our values and priorities have. There are a lot of issues in the mix in the trade deal. I'm not privy to the rounds going on in precise detail. I think everybody understands the fundamentals in terms of goods and services, and the skills matrix, that has to be part of the discussion of any trade agreement.
Q - How will you encourage more investment from Indian businesses?
KS: We have to have stability if we need to get our economy back under control. Of course, it is legitimate to ask why the UK is always hit harder than other countries. We got to sort that out if we're to attract investment and we have huge amounts of work to do on skills. Most businesses say they can't get the skills they need when they need them. I have to address that, to create the conditions to take advantage of AI and technology, which is moving up the pace and could be a huge boost for the economy. So, there are things that we can do and one of those fortunes is going to be the partnership arrangement where businesses and government work together, strategically over a period of time.
Q - What about trade with the EU, a lot of those Indian businesses would quite like to use UK as a jumping-off place for Europe, how we can improve that, even within the constraints of Brexit?
KS: Well, we've left the EU, and there's no case for going back. We must make Brexit work. With a closer relationship with the EU, I do think there are areas we can work together for science and education skills, certainly the creative sector or security, I think there are several ways in which we can improve on that relationship.
Q - I'd love to hear a little deeper about how that pursuit of economic growth is consistent with your climate ambitions. You've mentioned clean technology and Indian renewables. How do those fit together?
KS: I think they fit perfectly together through fantastic. There are opportunities when it comes to climate change and the changes needed in our economy are part and parcel of the origin of our growth. If we push forward, we've got one of our missions. There are five issues when it comes to government. And these will determine everything that we do- our priorities, decision-making, strategic thinking, partnership, and stay the course when politics and political events will try to knock you off the course. One of them is clean power generation by 2030 which is going to be tough. But if we achieve that, we will have cheaper bills, hugely important for businesses. There's no business in the last two years that hasn't felt the impact of higher energy bills.
Q - Let's talk briefly about your potential role as the next prime minister in a relationship with Prime Minister Modi. How do you see that working relationship UK potentially as a diminishing power, India's a growing power?
KS: I think that relationship should be a respectful, open relationship, that’s based on the future, not the past.
Q - There were some discussions where you mentioned the history of inequality and exploitation during the colonial era. How should the UK approach this issue of empire? Does it still have relevance in the modern world about the Kohinoor diamond?
KS: It should be the defining feature of how we go forward. We have used the word reset before, this is what I mean by saying resetting relationship, which recognises where we are now, rather than defining ourselves by the past.
