Ahead of the first ever India day celebrated in the UK's Parliament, the new British Parliamentary inquiry report has shocked the country's 1.5mn Indian diaspora, who believed that the two countries have actually strengthened their diplomatic and trade ties in the last five years. The report, ‘Building Bridges: Reawakening UK-India ties’, which was released on Monday morning, just before the UK-India week was launched, concluded that the UK is falling behind in the global race, by failing to adjust to India as a growing economic superpower– story of missed opportunities and lost messages. This launch occurred at a political turning point in both countries, following the re-election of Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister, the ongoing Brexit debate and the Tory leadership contest for the UK’s next Prime Minister.
The Commons Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) said ministers urgently need to 'up their game' on India, and not to rely on their 'historical' connection from the British Raj days. The cross-party group of MPs behind the report also warned the ministers to either open the UK's doors fully, or kill the real prospects of a 'global Britain'. It has also called for a reset of ties through better visa and immigration policies for Indian tourists, students and professionals.
The report has stated that, “The UK is falling behind in the global race to engage with a rising India…The story of the UK’s recent relationship with India is primarily one of missed opportunities.
“There are certain practical steps the government must take to reset its relationship with India, in particular making it easier for Indians to visit the UK and to work or study here.”
Writing on the issue of visas, the report raised concerns regarding a non democratic country like China facing easier norms than India.
It said, “There is no excuse for the migration policies that have led the UK to lose ground in attracting Indian students and tourists – who not only contribute to our economy but build lasting bilateral ties.
“The FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) should ensure that the goal of improving the overall relationship with India is woven into the broader government migration policy. Something has gone wrong, if it is more difficult for citizens of a strategically important democracy that shares our values, language and history to visit or study in the UK than those of an autocracy such as China.”
FAC Chair, Tom Tugendhat, the Conservative Party MP who led the inquiry said, "I will certainly be pressing the new Prime Minister to ensure the findings of the report are implemented to re-define and re-awaken UK-India ties, especially now when the UK is at crossroads as it prepares to leave the EU.”
First India Day
The time has never been more crucial to look forward to a transformational relationship between the two nations. Contradicting the findings in the FAC report, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Rt Hon Amber Rudd who was the Chief Guest at the India Day event, insisted that UK is a 'steadfast friend' of India. She emphasised that whoever becomes the new Prime Minister after Theresa May will ensure that the bilateral relationship with India is on top of his agenda. She kickstarted the UK-India Week, organised by India Inc, aiming to celebrate the countries' bilateral ties.
Speaking at the event, Rt Hon Rudd compared Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt as PM contenders and said, “I do hope that Jeremy Hunt will be our next Prime Minister and I know that he takes relations with India very seriously and it will certainly be on top of his in-tray.
"UK-India Week is a wonderful reminder of the ties the UK and India share. There is a need to be ambitious from the UK's side, but one thing is certain that Britain is a steadfast friend of India and vice versa.”
UK Foreign Secretary and Prime Ministerial hopeful, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP gave a resounding thumbs up to UK-India Week, saying, “It is clear from the wealth of topics and debates taking place across UK-India week that the partnership between these two great nations will continue to develop and grow.”
The India Day event, was hosted by the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, HE Mrs Ruchi Ghanashyam and Indian-origin peer Lord Jitesh Gadhia, who were part of a special reception and high-profile roundtables between business executives, policymakers from both countries, the ruling Conservative Party and the Opposition Labour Party at the Parliament.
Mrs Ghanashyam said, "India Day and UK-India Week reflect the passion that exists in the UK for a good relationship with India. Recent FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) figures are proof that the interest of Indian businesses remains strong. Brexit or no Brexit, there is a confidence in the UK as a place to do business," reported the PTI.
Lord Gadhia added, "The UK's relationship with India is a litmus test for anyone who advocates a brighter future for the UK outside the European Union.
"If we can't win big with the largest Commonwealth nation, where English is the lingua franca of business; which uses a similar common law system, and institutional frameworks; and where over 1.5 million members of the Indian diaspora in the UK provide a 'Living Bridge', then where are we going to secure the spoils of Brexit?”
The UK-India week will include a series of events over the course of the next few days, exploring investment opportunities between the two countries, including a Leadership Summit in Latimer House in Buckinghamshire, and concluding with the UK-India Awards on Friday in London.
'Celebrating Women'
A list that celebrated key 100 women who have been integral in bringing India and the UK together, was launched at the House of Commons, concluding the first ever India day at Parliament. At a time where international collaboration has never been more important, this list signifies the lengths that individuals are going to, in order to ensure that it remains at the front and centre.
This year’s list is an all-female list for the first time, and celebrates the immense contribution of women from across different sectors in both countries who have made considerable contributions to the relationship.
The women highlighted in this list hold positions of tremendous influence and therefore, their inclusion here is as much about the promise they bring, as the success they may have already achieved. Some individuals included in the list are: Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, India, Penny Mordaunt, Secretary of State for Defence, UK, HE Ruchi Ghanashyam, Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Jacqueline de Rojas, President, techUK, Janhavi Dadarkar, Founder & CEO, Maiora, Nisha Karavadra, Partner and Head of UK-India Practice, Ahlawat & Associates, Rupi Nandra, Head of International Programmes, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, Dr Mukulika Banerjee, Associate Professor and Director, South Asia Centre, London School of Economics, Darshita Gillies, Co-Founder and Director, Blue Dot Advisory; Founder, Maanch, Anita Anand, Broadcaster, Journalist and Biographer and Gurinder Chadha, Film and Television Director.
Chief Guest at the publication launch, Home Secretary Rt Hon Sajid Javid said, “For all my time I have been in this government, we have tried to build on the already strong relationship between our two great countries...And we can always do more…
“As Business Secretary we worked hard to promote more business and trade relationships between UK and India. As Community Secretary we celebrated the Indian diaspora's huge contributions to this country. And as the Home Secretary this is an opportunity to make sure we build a new immigration system, that also recognises our relationship we want to build with India. The government takes this relationship incredibly seriously, this friendship is unbreakable and I will do everything to always promote it.”
HE Mrs Ruchi Ghanashyam, Indian High Commissioner to the UK said, “Global partnerships are more important than ever as we become an interconnected world. This list highlights the huge potential for the future of the UK and India as they continue to forge on together as two great countries. I am proud to say women are playing a front and central role. From business to politics, and art and literacy women are continuing to pave the way in bringing together this bold partnership through collaboration and relationships. I congratulate India Inc. for this wonderful initiative.”
Manoj Ladwa, Founder and CEO of India Inc. added, “This year’s list was a pleasure to put together. Too often in today’s world do we see lists being dominated by men, with women coming in second or not at all. The women who we have chosen to be part of this list represent something much larger than a list – they are at the core of the relationship between our two nations and they represent the change of an era. We will look to them for the future of our winning partnership.”
