Virendra Sharma, Member of Parliament for Ealing Southall, and Chair of Indo-British APPG on Monday met Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana to discuss the diaspora in both America and United Kingdom and also the future of relations between the two countries.
In the middle of Gov. Jindal’s much vaunted economic and foreign policy tour of Europe he came to Westminster to talk to British politicians. At a frank and highly personal meeting Virendra Sharma and Gov. Jindal discussed their own backgrounds, and how they were the first of their families to become involved in politics.
The impact of the Indian, and wider South Asian, diaspora on politics in both countries was high up the agenda. The Indian diaspora in America is small but increasingly powerful, and not without their political views. They noted that the new administration in Delhi was a chance to reinvigorate ties not just with India but for Indian communities across the Atlantic. Both Gov. Jindal and Virendra Sharma reiterated the position that America and the UK are the closest of allies, and would speak with one voice. The refusal by the Indian government to grant visas to many Sikhs who wish to visit was also discussed and noted.
Mr Sharma said, “Our relationship with America is arguably our most important, and cultural communication across the Atlantic between Indians both sides can only improve relations.”
