Time to study, invest in India, says Britain
January 28th, 2012 - 11:16 am ICT by IANS
London, Jan 28 (IANS) India is making its mark on the global economy with “electrifying skill, innovation and dynamism” and now is the time is right to study, invest and work with the country, British Foreign Secretary William Hague has said.
Hague said this while inaugurating the India Institute at the King’s College in London on the occasion of India’s Republic Day.
The institute would be devoted to promoting intellectual and practical engagement with contemporary India, Hague said.
India “enriches our shared culture in innumerable ways — from the prize-winning novels of Aravind Adiga to the sporting prowess of Sachin Tendulkar”, the foreign secretary said.
“For this century will be shaped by India more than any other that has come before it. Now is the time to study India, to invest in India and to work with India,” he said.
Seeking a stronger, wider and deeper relationship between India and Britain, Hague said Britain would be increasing its mission staff in India by at least 30 officers, and plans to open new British Trade Offices and new Deputy High Commissions.
As India develops its economy, Britain’s want to be its “partner of choice”, he said.
The country has also set a target of doubling trade with India by 2015. Exports to India were up more than 40 percent in 2011.
Hague stressed that British universities were a “great asset to our nation” as people from other nations came to study here. This also contributed to the economy and to Britain’s “reputation as an open society”.
He said every legitimate student, business person or visitor was welcome to hsi country. “We want the brightest and the best to come to Britain.”
The British Council and the Project English Initiative, with support from the Department for International Development, has trained around 17 million students and one million teachers in English all across India.
Hague said Britain wants to see India at the international decision-making bodies, to help address global issues.
“That is why we support reform of the UN Security Council and a permanent seat for India. It is playing an increasingly important role in the affairs of the world,” he said.
- Aid to India not linked to contracts: Britain - Feb 14, 2012
- Britain to launch campaign for more exports to Asia - Dec 08, 2011
- Britain to open deputy high commission in Chandigarh - May 23, 2012
- Britain makes it tough for Pakistani students - Apr 13, 2012
- Need practical approach to build ties with India: British MP - Jul 25, 2010
- UK MPs warn government over new student visa controls - Mar 18, 2011
- British minister supports UK border agency's tight security norms - Jul 29, 2010
- Cameron to meet Manmohan in Toronto before Delhi visit - Jun 19, 2010
- UK to remain US' closest ally despite defence budget cuts: Hague - Nov 18, 2010
- Britain talks tough on abuse of visa rules - Aug 24, 2010
- Cameron leads Britain's open offer to partner India Inc (Roundup-Business) - Jul 29, 2010
- Britain raises Vodafone tax issue with Mukherjee (Lead) - Apr 02, 2012
- UK to slash foreign student visas by 100,000 annually - Mar 22, 2011
- Gadkari invites British, EU investments in BJP-ruled states - Jul 20, 2011
- Britain expels all Iranian diplomats - Dec 01, 2011
Tags: adiga, britain london, british universities, business person, college in london, english initiative, global economy, high commissions, india institute, international decision, london jan, mission staff, relationship between india, republic day, s college, sachin tendulkar, secretary william, student business, target, william hague