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Narendra Modi’s UK visit is a historic moment for our very special relationship Narendra Modi’s UK visit is a historic moment for our very special relationship
(34 minutes later)
The visit of the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, to the UK is the most important moment for the British-Indian relationship in generations.The visit of the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, to the UK is the most important moment for the British-Indian relationship in generations.
This is not only due to issues of trade, student numbers or high diplomacy – although these are unquestionably important – but because his arrival today comes at a time when the British Indian diaspora has truly come of age. British Indians have reached the very top of public life, be it in business, academia, healthcare or politics. It is a group that has made, and continues to make, an immeasurable contribution to this country. This visit – Modi’s first to the UK, and the first by an Indian prime minister for many years – will be a defining moment for the community.This is not only due to issues of trade, student numbers or high diplomacy – although these are unquestionably important – but because his arrival today comes at a time when the British Indian diaspora has truly come of age. British Indians have reached the very top of public life, be it in business, academia, healthcare or politics. It is a group that has made, and continues to make, an immeasurable contribution to this country. This visit – Modi’s first to the UK, and the first by an Indian prime minister for many years – will be a defining moment for the community.
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Indeed, I can think of no other politician in the world capable of attracting 60,000 people to Wembley stadium. Yet tomorrow’s event will be the largest event the British-Indian community has ever known – and it is funded by the diaspora. When the organisers made an appeal for funds, I was proud to contribute my pay rise for the month of November. Such funding will be used to pay for coaches taking people to and from the event: it is important that nobody should miss out. Those eager to attend span several generations of British-Indians. This is truly grassroots diplomacy, and we can expect a spectacle that will by far outshine the recent visit of the Chinese premier.Indeed, I can think of no other politician in the world capable of attracting 60,000 people to Wembley stadium. Yet tomorrow’s event will be the largest event the British-Indian community has ever known – and it is funded by the diaspora. When the organisers made an appeal for funds, I was proud to contribute my pay rise for the month of November. Such funding will be used to pay for coaches taking people to and from the event: it is important that nobody should miss out. Those eager to attend span several generations of British-Indians. This is truly grassroots diplomacy, and we can expect a spectacle that will by far outshine the recent visit of the Chinese premier.
At the forefront of David Cameron’s mind for this visit will be improving trade between our two countries. While the prime minister’s interest in developing our relationship with India is broader and more genuine than trade alone, he rightly sees great opportunities there. For two countries with such deep historical links, and incredibly close cultural ties, trade between India and the UK is not as significant as it could be. Many jobs can be created by exporting goods to fast-growing markets, and few economies are as dynamic or emerging as India.At the forefront of David Cameron’s mind for this visit will be improving trade between our two countries. While the prime minister’s interest in developing our relationship with India is broader and more genuine than trade alone, he rightly sees great opportunities there. For two countries with such deep historical links, and incredibly close cultural ties, trade between India and the UK is not as significant as it could be. Many jobs can be created by exporting goods to fast-growing markets, and few economies are as dynamic or emerging as India.
This visit will also be pivotal in addressing some of the big questions in our cultural relations. Not least being the steady decline in Indian students studying in the UK. The latest figures are worrying, with a 25% reduction in the number of Indian students recruited to British universities. Factors attracting blame will be government reform of post-study work visas, restrictions of part-time work during study, or the increasing reluctance of universities to offer places to Indian students due to the risk of their visas being rejected. Considering that higher education is one of the UK’s finest exports, with a track record of attracting talented Indian students, I expect this will be on the agenda of both governments.This visit will also be pivotal in addressing some of the big questions in our cultural relations. Not least being the steady decline in Indian students studying in the UK. The latest figures are worrying, with a 25% reduction in the number of Indian students recruited to British universities. Factors attracting blame will be government reform of post-study work visas, restrictions of part-time work during study, or the increasing reluctance of universities to offer places to Indian students due to the risk of their visas being rejected. Considering that higher education is one of the UK’s finest exports, with a track record of attracting talented Indian students, I expect this will be on the agenda of both governments.
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This visit has been long-awaited. Modi has developed a reputation for being something of a globetrotter, having visited Germany, France and the United States already. Clearly he has saved the best until last. This is why his UK trip has been so eagerly awaited by the British-Indian community of 1.5 million people, by far the largest in Europe. Where else in the world could an Indian prime minister’s visit include an address to 60,000 people? It seems fitting that he will be making a stop at a statue of Mahatma Gandhi outside the world’s oldest parliament.This visit has been long-awaited. Modi has developed a reputation for being something of a globetrotter, having visited Germany, France and the United States already. Clearly he has saved the best until last. This is why his UK trip has been so eagerly awaited by the British-Indian community of 1.5 million people, by far the largest in Europe. Where else in the world could an Indian prime minister’s visit include an address to 60,000 people? It seems fitting that he will be making a stop at a statue of Mahatma Gandhi outside the world’s oldest parliament.
For him to make this visit and deliver a speech in parliament, as well as to the diaspora, will be truly historic. His British-Indian supporters have waited patiently, and now they will be rewarded.For him to make this visit and deliver a speech in parliament, as well as to the diaspora, will be truly historic. His British-Indian supporters have waited patiently, and now they will be rewarded.
Cameron has welcomed a “modern” UK-India relationship, but this is bigger than politics. All of us want our relationship with this dynamic, culturally buoyant country to grow ever stronger. From diplomats to businessmen to the diaspora, Modi’s visit is our chance to seize this opportunity. In the 21st century, India’s century, we need not be a historical friend, but a modern equal partner.Cameron has welcomed a “modern” UK-India relationship, but this is bigger than politics. All of us want our relationship with this dynamic, culturally buoyant country to grow ever stronger. From diplomats to businessmen to the diaspora, Modi’s visit is our chance to seize this opportunity. In the 21st century, India’s century, we need not be a historical friend, but a modern equal partner.