Ever since her appointment in June 2020, High Commissioner HE Gaitri Issar Kumar has been instrumental in strengthening the UK and India’s unique and historic relationship, along with promoting recognition of Indian territorial claims in the UK. Throughout the pandemic, not only has she been actively involved in supporting the partnership, facilitating smooth procedures in Covid aid, but also never missed an opportunity to engage with the diaspora, whether it is via virtual events, or as the UK reopens, by her physical presence, the most recent one being the Annual Summer Party organised by Indian Journalists' Association on World Press Freedom Day 2021 in London.
Q. In the 75 years of Independent India, what do you think has changed for the better between the UK and India, where both countries have truly embraced each other, keeping aside the memories of the colonial past?
India and the UK share a unique and historic relationship. This year we will celebrate 75 years of our bilateral relations. Indeed, the past year has been a point of departure as we have engaged with a Britain that has exited from the European Union and is forging its independent foreign and trade policy. Through a once in a generation integrated review, the UK has identified India for enhanced engagement in a number of key areas where both countries have common interests and convergences. Changing dynamics in the global order and the shift of the global centre of gravity and focus to Asia has brought the spotlight on the Indo-Pacific region where India is a net contributor of security. Given our many complementarities, we find ourselves to be natural partners in a range of human activities for the bilateral benefit and for the good of the world – from healthcare, science and technology to defence, security and trade, we have been part of the solutions to challenges faced by our respective peoples and the world.
The Roadmap to 2030 launched by the Hon’ble Prime Ministers of the UK and India in May 2021 will anchor our work and the timelines to be achieved together. The manufacture of vaccines by Wockhardt and Serum Institute of India are examples of successful collaborations that will show the way for similar initiatives in the future.
India’s membership of the UNSC and the UK’s Presidency of COP26 makes this a significant year for cooperation on global issues. In the International Solar Alliance and CDRI, both initiatives of our Government, the UK is a key partner; and India has much to contribute to the success of the UK’s Presidency of COP26. As we proceed to build trust and mutual understanding and to realise the full potential of our bilateral relationship, only the sky, as they say, is the limit.
Q. How has Indian culture made its mark in UK’s multicultural society?
London is often described as the cultural capital of the world. In Britain, 1.6 million people of Indian origin retain a strong connect with their Indian traditions and cherished heritage. Their celebration of events and special occasions has largely included friends and members of the larger community here in the United Kingdom. The Rt Hon Prime Minister Boris Johnson has often, over the last year, sent his personal greetings on festive occasions celebrated by Indian communities of different faiths. Every community association that I have met in the UK across the nations - seems to be flourishing and actively promoting its cultural and educational traditions in its own way.
A unique development this week is the launch of clinical trials to test the efficacy of Ashwagandha in post-Covid recovery. This signifies a turning point in collaboration – bringing together British schools of medicine and Indian experts in the ancient science of Ayurveda.
The Nehru Centre, as the cultural wing of the High Commission, has, over the last year, exponentially expanded its audience as its events turned virtual last year.
Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan is the largest centre for classical Indian arts and culture outside India, and by regularly conducting classes of Indian dance, music, languages and art, ensures that the rich artistic and cultural traditions of our country are shared with the younger Indian diaspora and even those from the UK.
A large variety of Indian arts, crafts and architecture are exhibited in the museums of United Kingdom. In fact, the collections from South and South-East Asia comprise nearly 60,000 objects, including about 10,000 textiles and 6,000 paintings covering the Indian subcontinent south of the Himalayas, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
Many museums have permanent South Asia collections and entire departments devoted to this region- for example the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, The Ashmolean in Oxford, and museums and galleries that curate temporary exhibitions from India.
In 2015-16, a year-long ‘Festival of India’ was celebrated in the UK wherein about 100 events were organized in various parts of the United Kingdom.
Innumerable elements that are intrinsically Indian are, today, woven into the fabric of the UK's contemporary society – from our cuisine to textiles and designs, performing arts and literature - the list is long and colourful and includes many examples of non-tangible heritage.
Q. Since so many Hindi films are shot in the UK, how do you think the film visa regulations evolve in the coming times keeping the pandemic and red list in mind?
The film industry has, like many others, has been impacted by the pandemic, and has suffered an estimated revenue loss of $7 billion by March 2020. Visa regulations and restrictions have made it difficult for producers and crews to travel to the UK. It is hard, given the current uncertainties, to make a prognosis on the relaunching of Indian film shooting activity in the UK. Despite the current uncertainties, there is optimism that this activity will regain its previous momentum.
India and the UK have a bilateral treaty on film co-production between our governments since 2005.
Q. What kind of help and opportunities does the High Commission provide to British Indians, especially women and students?
The High Commission of India in London and its Consulates in Birmingham and Edinburgh are nodal points for our diaspora - where we render a variety of services - ranging from passport/OCI/consular services, registration of Indians for the special Vande Bharat Mission repatriation flights, providing assistance to vulnerable women or victims of domestic abuse via our dedicated Distressed Women's Cell, etc.
We also have a special Education Wing that provides students a wealth of information including forms and information about current scholarship opportunities, advisories, and education briefs.
Q. How busy have you been during UK-India's fight during Covid 19 to facilitate help from both sides?
In April 2021, a wave of infections came like Tsunami, overwhelming our healthcare infrastructure and supply chains. Under the instructions from our Government, we at the High Commission in London sought the urgent assistance of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office in sourcing vendors and manufacturers of 4 critical items of critical care equipment.
It was heart-warming to see the immediate and positive response from the FCDO, and learn that the first consignment of supplies had arrived from London Heathrow!
At the Mission, our Economic and Trade Wing worked around the clock to liaise between all concerned in India and the UK industry, to reach life-saving critical care equipment to India. The response from British industry was substantial, swift and sensitive- and this resulted in a huge quantity of donations in a very short time. Our efforts were further strengthened by the senior-most leadership of the Confederation of British Industry, British Asian Trust, UKIBC and the FICCI who helped us by donating expertise, resources and time during these crucial days.
Lord Bilimoria who is the President of the CBI and Lord Gadhia, the Chair of the BAT gave our High Commission invaluable guidance - which went a long way in securing life-saving resources for India at a very challenging moment.
