The special relationship between Britain and India is a “match made in heaven”, the co-Chairman of the Conservative Friends of India (CFI) told delegates on Monday this week.
Dr Rami Ranger was speaking at a late evening reception held at Castle Fine Art Gallery within the ICC, Birmingham. Dr Ranger was introduced by his fellow “icon” co-Chairman Zac Goldsmith MP.
Zac joked that the CFI was frequently mistaken for the Conservative Friends of Israel, to which Israel’s ambassador said he had no problem with competition and that his CFI would remain the original.
Dr Ranger joked, “when I grow up I want to be like him,” as he called upon Home Secretary Sajid Javid who thanked CFI for its great work in promoting the values of Conservatism.
The networking event, which featured food and drink, and coincided with PM Theresa May's birthday, attracted around 100 delegates from all walks of life. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt spoke passionately about his experiences of India. His only disappointment, he smiled, was that chicken tikka masala was not on every Indian menu.
Theresa Villiers MP said the last time she visited India was 30 years ago as a backpacker and said she was keen to return, particularly if there was an MP delegation going.
Michael Ellis MP, Minister for Arts, Heritage & Tourism, said his father was born in Calcutta and that he considered himself an honorary Indian. Paul Scully MP said he was quarter Indian.
Other speakers included: Shaun Bailey, the Conservative Party’s candidate for the London mayoral election in 2020; Richard Harrington MP; Bob Blackman MP; Communities Minister James Brokenshire, who flew to India this Wednesday; Helen Grant MP; Penny Mordaunt MP; Brandon Lewis MP; High Commissioner for Canada to the UK HE Mrs Janice Charette; James Cleverly MP; Lord Ranbir Suri.
Guests included resident photographer Jas Sansi, Meera Sonecha, Amit Sharma, Councillors Ameet Jogia, Mina Parmar and Hiten Ganatra, Professor Martin Levermore MBE DL, Lord Mike Whitby, Ekta Gohil – to list just a few.
The evening was hosted by His Excellency Mr Y K Sinha, the outgoing High Commissioner of India in the UK, who was accompanied by Dr Aman Puri, the Consul General of India in Birmingham.
CFI seeks to build stronger links between the Conservative Party, the British Indian community and India. It recognises the successes and values of British Indians and advocates closer relations between the two countries. In the UK, there are more than 600 Indian companies with a total value in excess of £9 billion. Tata Industries is the UK’s largest privately-owned employer with over 60,000 employees. To find out more visit www.cfindia.co.uk
