The Indian High Commissioner HE Navtej Sarna briefed the MPs, Peers and other members of the Conservative Party in an event organised by the Conservative Friends of India (CFIN) at Portcullis House. This was the High Commissioner’s first formal address to CFIN in Parliament since assuming charge in January 2016.
Describing the India-UK relationship as a “modern partnership reflective of contemporary realities”, the High Commissioner briefed the audience on the recent developments in the bilateral relationship between the two countries, particularly against the backdrop of the successful visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the UK in November 2015. While outlining the traditionally close links between India and the UK, the High Commissioner highlighted the impetus given to the relationship by Prime Minister Cameron and his cabinet colleagues’ visits to India and reciprocal visits by Indian leadership to the UK.
Alok Sharma MP, Co-Chair of Conservative Friends of India, who had recently returned from India after his official visit as PM Cameron’s Infrastructure Envoy, remarked that India’s growth story is remarkable and India and UK are cooperating in new areas of cooperation, including financing of India’s infrastructure expansion plans.
The address by the High Commissioner was followed by an interactive discussion on varied range of topics, including the Indian Budget, promotion of India’s spirituality, climate change, consular issues and participation of the Indian diaspora in India’s development.
