The UK-India Week 2023 is a week-long programme that seeks to honour and strengthen the longstanding partnership between these two countries by providing a platform to spotlight crucial topics, including politics, trade, business, sustainability, inclusion, and innovation. Over the course of the week, delegates from the UK and India discussed the UK-India partnership in detail. “India Global Forum’s annual UK-India Week is a highly anticipated fixture in the bilateral calendar of our two great nations. It is a catalyst for forging new trade ties, lasting collaborations, and a better future for our people. I'm confident this partnership will be a defining one for our times,” said UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a statement.
photo caption: Labour Party Leader Sir Keir Starmer delivering keynote address at India Global Forum | Photo courtesy: India Global Forum
Keynote address by Sir Keir Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer, Leader of the UK Opposition, used a keynote address at India Global Forum’s UK-India Week to declare that Labour under his leadership will be a changed party that looks beyond the shadows of the past to collaborate with modern India.
“I have a clear message for you all today - This is a changed Labour Party. Across the board we’ve embraced the power of enterprise; understand that this is the only way to pay your way in the modern world. And this means that we see the Indian Community as the success story they are in 21st-century Britain. Success is such an important word. In the past, I accept - Labour gave the impression we could only see the lives of people and communities who needed our support. But my Labour Party understands that what working people want in every community is success, aspiration and security.”
Reflecting on India’s current standing in the world, Starmer said this was an opportunity for it to be India’s century. “When the history of two nations is as intertwined as ours - that can cast a long shadow. But, I don’t see that shadow over today’s India. I see a modern nation, a confident nation, a nation that knows, that while there are profound challenges in the world at the moment - this is, without question, a time when the stability of nations is under threat - that the opportunity is there for this to be an Indian century, with India shining as the biggest democracy and a huge contributor to global growth and prosperity.”
Calling for a new approach towards India, the Labour Leader said, “The challenge, as I see it now, is for Britain to step out of the shadows in its mind, to cast aside the entitlement of history and deepen our relationship with the real India, modern India, future India."
Welcoming Starmer to India Global Forum, Founder and Chairman, Manoj Ladwa said, “Whilst British politicians will vigorously seek out every vote, the relationship with India is now of national strategic importance. We cannot and must not allow it to be held hostage to the vagaries of domestic politics.
There are many in this room who work relentlessly to ensure that this partnership serves all of our people, and is always driven by positivity, ambition, and purpose. It is a journey that many of us have been travelling all our lives. Sir Keir, I invite you, on behalf of everyone here, to also join our journey.”
Photo caption: Prof Manoj Ladwa (Left), Sir Keir Starmer and Deputy Mayor of London for Business Rajesh Agrawal along with other dignitaries at UK-India Week | Photo courtesy: India Global Forum Twitter
UK-India Week 2023 kicks off with the launch of Young Leaders Fellowship Programme
India Global Forum’s UK-India Week 2023 kicked off with the first-ever Young Leaders Forum at the Nehru Centre in London on Saturday (June 24). The event marked the launch of the Young Leaders Fellowship by India Global Forum (IGF) Founder and Chairman, Manoj Ladwa.
“The Young Leaders Fellowship programme provides an outstanding opportunity for students studying in the UK to work with India Global Forum, offering them practical work experience, access to mentorship, invaluable leadership skills, and the chance to leverage an unmatched global network. The future belongs to those who are determined to make a difference, and this fellowship serves as a stepping stone for our youngsters to become catalysts of progress,” he said.
The inaugural event of UK-India Week 2023, Young Leaders Forum, brought together young leaders, influencers, and change-makers from India and the UK, providing them with a platform to engage in meaningful discussions, exchange ideas, and share insights on the challenges and opportunities presented by youth leadership.
Weighing in on the global debate on artificial intelligence, popular singer, songwriter, and youth icon, Armaan Malik said, “I don’t think you can replace human emotions and feeling what you’re writing about. The whole art of songwriting is sitting with a composer and producer and writing what you’re feeling. There are certain emotions that AI cannot replicate that composers that put in a melody or songwriters can put in a few words.
“I would say a lot of people find inspiration to open a new tab, get into some stuff and get some lyric ideas… I just feel like it shouldn't replace the whole art of songwriting.”
Urging the current generation to embrace entrepreneurship, Gautam Shroff, Managing Director & Head, Nuvama Group said, “Don't think of doing a job. Try and be an entrepreneur. There is a lot of support available now that wasn’t previously easy to access.”
Designed to empower the next generation of leaders, prominent speakers and successful youth leaders shared valuable insights on effective leadership strategies for the future. The Young Leaders Forum witnessed engaging discussions on youth-led innovation & entrepreneurship, politics, activism, and community development. Some notable speakers included: K. Annamalai, BJP State President – Tamil Nadu, Anil Shetty, Founder, MetaMan, Alexina Phiri, Ministerial Programmes Lead - Asia Pacific, China and Hong Kong, Department of Business & Trade, Ishita Sawant, CEO & Founder, Meolaa and Rajesh Agrawal (Deputy Mayor for Business, London) UK.
Photo caption: BJP Tamil Nadu State President K. Annamalai ; Photo credit: Twitter
BJP Tamil Nadu state president strongly defends India's democracy
In a strong rebuttal to Western media critics, BJP Tamil Nadu State President K. Annamalai underscored India's commitment to democratic values. The BJP leader was speaking at India Global Forum's first-ever Young Leaders Forum at the Nehru Centre in London on Saturday (June 24).
Answering a question from the audience on the criticism of India by Western media analysts, Annamalai said, "Indian democracy is deep-rooted and very old. Democracy is in our DNA. India is a complex country, and Indian politics cannot be fit into black and white."
Referring to the recent farmers' protests in India demanding a repeal of 3 agriculture-related laws, Annamalai said, "If anyone wants to protest in India, they can block a highway for 9 months. That is how deep our democracy is. We allow our protesters to do that, even Britain doesn't."
Appealing to the media, he said, "It is easy to evaluate India from outside. I request the media to come to stay with us and understand India and Indian politics. Indian politics operate in a uniquely Indian way. If anyone wants to analyse us with a Western lens, they will fail."
Asked about the possibility of India offering dual citizenship, Annamalai indicated that the Indian Government was aware of the growing demand. "If someone thinks dual citizenship isn't possible, I'll say wait for a few years. We are open to listening to you, we will listen to you."
On a question about a 'Brain Drain' from India, Annamalai explained that with tech advances why he was not worried, "We should be grateful to the UK, because it is a country so gratefully allowing its borders to be open, not preventing anyone coming in, sharing its resources, treating every single person in the UK absolutely equally and well deservingly; So I would say it’s a model, and years from now [its possible] border silos will go."
The inaugural event of UK-India Week 2023, Young Leaders Forum, convened young leaders, influencers, and change-makers from India and the UK, providing them with a platform to engage in meaningful discussions, exchange ideas, and share insights on the challenges and opportunities presented by youth leadership.
Encompassing 12 marquee events with 150 speakers and 2,000+ participants, ‘UK-India Week 2023’ brings together business leaders, policymakers, and thought leaders from India and the UK to discuss opportunities for further collaboration and growth between the two countries through a series of exclusive networking opportunities, panel discussions, and keynote speeches, covering a range of topics including trade, investment, innovation, technology, and sustainability, that are aligned with the objectives of Roadmap 2030. UK-India Week 2023, described as a highly anticipated fixture in the bilateral calendar by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, runs until 30 June 2023.
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Photo caption: British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis and Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami at the UK-India Week 2023
UK-owned Indian-owned businesses in the UK
On Monday, during a Q&A session at the UK India Week, addressing concerns of Indian-owned businesses in the UK, High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami said, “Indian businesses here have done extraordinarily well. As per the last report the CII commissioned, there are 950 Indian businesses here. What is surprising is how few people seem to go out in both camps at the end of going for 100,000 staff over, 100 times the top 10 in-game companies alone employed. So indeed, companies lost investors in the UK. And obviously what they're looking for here is just the market but also all that goes around with it, the quality of services, the technology opportunities here, and the opportunity to build branding in the UK. The UK still has a huge ability to set global narrative standards and use that as a springboard to further international expansion. That is huge, but the other way around. I'd say the India opportunities are also stronger. Indian businesses are now ambitiously looking for global opportunities, and partnerships with Indian businesses in the Indian market, which is changing since 2014, at a degree pace that has been unprecedented, in particularly affected states in the rural areas. It's an interesting thought, just for those of you in the digital business - 300 million people are on the internet in rural India. So just see the scale of opportunity that creates for British businesses looking to offer new services or new products for a new market.”
India’s soft power
During the conversation, Doraiswami also said, “India's soft power lies in its history, its cultures, civilisational values, and of course, in something quite as sort of self-contained as yoga which captures all of this. But it also lies in the value that Indian people bring. Our student community has 145,000 students in this country businesses, and 950 businesses are up here as well as the quality of services, we have some of our finest hotels here. The sense is that Indians are associated with technology, good service with hospitality with yoga and wellness, I think these are great pieces to put together and to package along with the rest of the relationship, which is of course about the, fortunately, counsel about trade-offs in that we have in our relationship.”
What's changed about the UK-India relationship from the end of the Brexit transition period to now?
British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis said, “The UK doesn't have a choice. It has to go big on India. India is extremely attractive, but it's also quite challenging. There's a collective interest in having a much bigger and broader relationship with India, which is Forward Look, the art is converting the design into reality there, I think we still got a bit of work to do. But as soon as the termination of the network depends on sustainability, as you know, trade relationship.”
UK-India trade deal
Addressing a question on the UK-India trade deal, Mr Ellis said, “India and UK are two very different economies of different sizes, that takes getting used to the UK is never negotiated trade in this kind of with a country of that sort of shape economy for India, new back into the FTAs struggle with the UAE.
“There are always issues about goods and services. But if you're negotiating numbers, you can get a deal. The question is whether you can avoid some sticking consequences. But in the end, it will require political determination. I think there's a very powerful signal from the UK, you need to do a free trade deal. First of all, in terms of lowering tariffs, and so forth, that's great, and now opens more access to services. But secondly, it sends a signal to businesses about the conduct of doing business in each of these countries. And that is growing very fast, as I said, but I think we could do more than find there is a strategic element to it. It is a symbol to the world, that two of the biggest democracies in the world are able to do a trade deal and it's about more, it's about business much more.”
The City of London hosts the first UK-India Sustainable Infrastructure Summit
The City of London Corporation hosted business and government leaders for the first-ever UK-India Infrastructure Summit on June 27.
The summit, which marked UK-India week celebrations, convened sustainable finance and infrastructure financing leaders to evaluate the growing demands in the sector and understand the key opportunities for partnership and investment to deliver sustainable infrastructure in India.
Hosted in partnership with India Global Forum, the event emphasised the power of the UK-India relationship and its significance in meeting shared goals and tackling the world’s largest challenges.
Lord Mayor of the City of London, Nicholas Lyons said: “Sustainable infrastructure is critical for India’s economic trajectory and to meet the needs of its fast-growing population while fulfilling its ambition to reach net zero by 2070. With strong government backing and unparalleled global expertise in sustainable finance and infrastructure financing solutions, the City of London and the UK can help India to access one of the largest and diversified global capital pools on the best possible terms.”
The founder and chairman of the India Global Forum, Manoj Ladwa, said: “As the fastest growing major economy in the world, and the most populous, India has huge aspirations and equally huge responsibilities. The rapid building of high-quality sustainable physical and digital infrastructure will be critical to achieving India’s growth trajectory, as well as balancing its net zero commitments. I am confident that the UK and India, with the firepower of the City of London, can purposely unlock the full potential for a sustainable and prosperous future for both our nations and indeed, the world.”
UK Investment Minister ‘very optimistic’ about Free Trade Agreement with India
Speaking at the ‘UK-India Infrastructure Summit' hosted by City of London in association with India Global Forum, UK Investment Minister Lord Dominic Johnson, underscored the importance of the Free Trade deal for both UK and India, while steering clear of committing to a timeframe. Johnson said, “I'm very optimistic because I think it is very important to do a trade deal for both sides… and it's really important for business to express their support for such a deal because it’s about allowing businesses to function more effectively with greater profits, wealth and security for the world.”
“From the perspective of British business in India, I will continue to push for the simplification of interstate activities in terms of entrepreneurial regulations between states that are selling goods and services. And, I will continue to push for greater work when it comes to a free trade, because that that will help us to put more money into growing the economy to provide the jobs for the next generation.”
Founder and Chairman, IGF, Manoj Ladwa in his address said, "As the fastest growing major economy in the world, and the most populous, India has huge aspirations and equally huge responsibilities. The rapid building of high quality sustainable physical and digital infrastructure will be critical to achieving India’s growth trajectory, as well as balancing its net zero commitments."
Vikram Doraiswami, High Commissioner of India to the UK, and B.V.R Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog made a strong case for the City of London investing in sustainable infrastructure in India, while showcasing recent policy, legislative and social changes in India.
Doraiswami remarked, “The cause of investing in India has never been a better one. That is in other words, there is no better reason for you to invest in India —not just for profit, but also for the social benefit and the environmental benefit; for the totality. And I would argue that your interests are best served in aligning with us in making sure that the transformation of India happens in a way that does not replicate any of the faults of the past.”
“UK particularly the City of London has excellent capabilities in structuring and funnelling finance where it is needed. UK has demonstrated technological capabilities while India is at the frontiers of innovation. Combining technology with financing would enhance the cooperation,” said Subrahmanyam.
Bullish on India, Lord Jitesh Gadhia, Member House of Lords, Member of the Court of Directors, Bank of England said, “India has a tailwind which is a combination of economics, demographics and political stability.” Referring to Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer’s remarks on the FTA at India Global Forum, he said, “ The statement on FTA is a good sign; it proves whatever the electoral outcome in Britain, the Indian relationship is strategic.”
Commenting on the four areas of focus for Adani Green Energy Limited, CEO Amit Singh, remarked, “Securing your resources, developing a supplier ecosystem that is diverse, application of technology, and doing it through the lens of sustainability.”
Nicholas Lyons, the Lord Mayor of the City of London, emphasised London’s unparalleled global expertise in sustainable finance and infrastructure financing solutions. “UK should be a partner of choice for India for its infrastructure needs; the City of London & the UK can help India into the largest & most diversified global capital pools on the best possible terms.”
“We have up to 4bn pounds of capacity to use in India,” said Caroline Healy, Deputy Director – International Relations, UK Export Finance. “My key message is that UK Export Finance wants to do more business in India, we’ve got capacity and we’ve got the product suite.”
As laid out in Roadmap 2030, this collaboration constitutes a critical component of the India-UK partnership in addressing climate change. Other participants included: Riddhima Yadav (Vice President, Brookfield Asset Management), Sriram Krishnan (Chief Business Development Officer, National Stock Exchange of India Limited), Sameer Sinha (Founder and MD, Savvy Group), Ankush Agarwal (Head of Financial Services, Ola Electric), Uday Khemka (Vice Chair, Sun Group) and Gurdeep Singh Kohli (Founding Member SC Ventures, Standard Chartered).
