Q1 - How instrumental is the UK-India FTA going to be in strengthening the partnership between the two countries?
Hon'ble Prime Ministers of India and the UK are committed to strengthening the trade partnership between our two countries. They launched the Enhanced Trade Partnership in May 2021 during the India-UK Virtual Summit – which paved the way for the Free Trade Agreement negotiations which have started on January 17, 2022 – launched in New Delhi by Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Secretary of State for International Trade and her counterpart Hon'ble Minister for Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal. The first step taken by both Governments before proceeding to actual negotiations was to carry out widespread public consultations. The response of stakeholders revealed a high level of interest and very useful inputs have been received on both sides. As we are aware, the Indian diaspora is a key contributor to the strong trade and investment linkages that make India one of the largest investors in the UK, a significant employment generator and a key trade partner. Our Prime Ministers have set a target of doubling bilateral trade by 2030. Removing trade barriers reducing tariffs, boosting trade inflows have been lynchpins of our relationship and FTA will take us further on this trajectory.
Q2 - What avenues does it open for the High Commission of India in the UK to explore further within the UK to help both the nations in smoother transactions and trade? How busy do the calendars look?
As can be expected, our Free Trade deal will seek to reduce tariffs and remove barriers on key items of imports/exports to make the movement of goods and services between our two countries more rewarding for both sides. High Commission has been proactively engaging with businesses all over the UK to facilitate them. I have engaged with business, industry and universities in Cardiff, Belfast, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds, Southampton and many other regions either in-person or virtually. We look forward to further expanding our reaches to different parts of the UK and promoting bilateral trade and investment by hand-holding businesses. This will keep our Economic Wing busy – this year our priority destinations for our outreach include Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Yorkshire, West Midlands - and we plan to build on previous visits made to other regions. Our Access India Programme facilitates UK's SMEs in establishing their operations in India.
Q3 - How soon do you think air travel and tourism will pick up between the two nations, now that the UK seems to be flattening the curve of the pandemic?
Throughout the pandemic, we have successfully maintained an Air Bubble to safely reach British and Indian passengers between the UK and India – in conformity with the restriction in force at various times. Enough flights have been operating and I am happy to say that tourist visas are also being issued by our High Commission as we look forward to welcoming tourists back into our country. Of course, our Government has, from time to time, issued advisories and introduced mandatory precautions to be taken by travellers arriving in India. Like everyone else, I, too, look forward to early restoration of normalcy – when we can welcome British tourists in strength to popular destinations that we have to offer in incredible India.
Q4 - Ahead of the 73rd Republic Day of India, how would you describe the evolution of India’s relationship with its colonial past and a post-modern approach to walking hand-in-hand with Britain, especially to produce vaccines?
The evolution of India’s relationship with the UK over the last seven decades has been phenomenal. The legacy of the colonial past has not been a stumbling block in the furthering of India-UK relations as the common denominators of parliamentary democracy, the wide use of the English language, the ‘living bridge’ 1.6 million strong Indian Diaspora have indeed helped to elevate the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The UK’s desire for a free trade agreement with India after Brexit is reciprocated by India as we see the tremendous potential. In a globalised world, India and the UK have realised the potential of our many complementary strengths. Our Prime Ministers have described us as ‘natural partners’. An example is the collaboration on vaccines between Oxford AstraZeneca and Serum Institute of India, due to which a timely supplies of life saving medicines to more than 150 countries. India supplied 115.4 million doses to 79 countries under our Vaccine Maitri (Friendship) initiative.
The Road Map launched by our Prime Minister in May 2021, covers broadest possible canvas of joint initiatives and cooperation for mutual benefit and also a force for good in the world.
Q5- In the 75th year of India's Independence, what do you think the Indian diaspora can learn from their homeland’s evolution as the largest democracy in the world?
The Republic of India is not only the largest democracy in the history of mankind, but it is also a vibrant, functioning democracy – a unique example of unity in diversity.
Despite the many challenges faced by India as a developing country, our undiluted commitment to the Directive Principle of State Policy at the core of our constitution have ensured that our development is inclusive, with opportunists for all section of our multifaceted society and rights of all citizens guaranteed by our sacred Constitution. On the 26th Day of November 1949, the people of India, through their representatives in the Constituent Assembly, created for the purpose – adopted, enacted and gave to themselves the Constitution of India. The momentous occasion, when the Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950 – when India became a Republic, is celebrated every year as Republic Day. Since 2015, November 26 is celebrated across our nation as Constitution Day.
Q6 - Your message for our readers on India’s Republic Day.
I would like to wish all your readers a very happy Republic Day. India has proven itself as a successful example of unity in diversity. We are stronger and more prosperous as a nation than when we started our journey 75 years ago.
I would also like to thank our diaspora in UK for their tremendous support in this journey and I look forward to receiving their cooperation in future as well. The High Commission has planned a series of events under the banner of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, celebrating 75 years of India independence. I request your readers and Indian diaspora to take active part in the events planned by the High Commission. These events not only provide opportunities to know India but also to win exciting prizes.
At last, I would like to assure all your readers and specifically those who are part of Indian diaspora that the High Commission of India in London is your second home and we would be happy to serve them in the best of our capacity.
