The strength of the UK-India relationship was on full display at the recent India Global Week conference organised in London, with Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab leading a senior delegation that also included Home Secretary Priti Patel, Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Trade Secretary Liz Truss.
The three-day virtual summit brought together influential participants from the private and public sectors to discuss India, the UK and the world. This included an inaugural address by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a special address by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales – who visited India last year – highlighting enduring UK-India bilateral ties and the importance of building a green, sustainable future.
Indian-origin Home Secretary Priti Patel said at the event that Britain's relationship with India is deeply rooted in shared history, culture and people-to-people ties.
"It is difficult to think of two other countries so deeply intertwined as the living bridge between our nations strengthens. Our partnership for the future is based upon our shared values and determination to be a force for good as we collectively embark upon new challenges and new shared opportunities," she said.
The UK Foreign Secretary gave a speech by video, discussing the way Britain and India are maximising research and innovation links to tackle the challenges posted by COVID-19 and climate change.
"As leaders in the international COVID-19 response, the UK and India also co-authored the G20 Action Plan, providing an immediate package of $200 billion of global support to the most vulnerable countries around the world. We also believe our friendship with India will be crucial as the UK fulfils its ambition to be an even stronger force for good in the world," Raab added.
Other senior UK speakers during the summit included Trade Secretary Lizz Truss who spoke about the expansion of the UK-India trade and investment relationship, Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who highlighted the strong collaboration between the two countries on health-tech and pharmaceuticals during the pandemic and Lord Jitesh Gadhia, Member of the House of Lords, who moderated a dialogue on the strategic relationship between the UK and India.
India Global Week is organised annually by London-based India Inc. This year’s event was entitled ‘#BeTheRevival: India and A Better New World’.