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Labour leaders laud role of Indians in Britain
Senior leaders of Britain's ruling Labour Party have lauded the contribution of people of Indian origin to the country.
The reception was literally an India evening, hosted by the Labour Friends of India at Hilton in Brighton where the Labour Party Annual Conference was in session. A number of ministers and MPs trooped in to congratulate India and Indian people on their contribution to British life and economic activity. Chief Guests included the Indian High Commissioner and the Rt. Hon. Geoff Hoon MP, British Secretary of State for Defence.
Stephen Pound, Chairman of Labour Friends of India, while welcoming the ministers said: “India and Indian people continue to make strides in every field they are currently engaged in. Whether it’s in the arts, the media, business life and in every aspect of British life they have refreshed and enhanced, it befits us today on our 5th anniversary to celebrate these achievements.”
Pound highlighted the campaigns that Labour Friends of India’s MPs and Peers have championed in the British Parliament to ensure a balance in the ensuing debates concerning India including terrorism in Kashmir, international development and the millennium development goals, and referred extensively to the increasing importance of bilateral trade vis-à-vis business process outsourcing.
In his address, Hoon spoke nostalgically of his personal connection with Indian people residing in Britain as well as his high regard for India: “I regard myself as a great friend of India. It is increasingly important for the UK to establish good relations with the new Indian Government and to work very closely to continue our excellent relations. This is a relationship based on people and not just government-to-government relations and it exists throughout the UK and strengthens the way in which we work together.”
Hoon will be visiting India next week and will meet with his counterpart Pranab Mukherjee.
Responding to Hoon, Indian High Commissioner, Kamalesh Sharma said: “This century will belong to all of us; I pay particular tribute to the leader of this country (Tony Blair) for realising this and encouraging an excellent relationship with India.”
He added “I would like to pay tribute to people of Indian origin in this country; I didn’t realise before I came here recently that it was a whole community of achievers. I am proud to be in UK which lays a premium on respect for all cultures.”
On the Labour Party’s relationship with India, the High Commissioner concluded: “Whenever Labour has led this country they have been good friends of India.”
Peter Hain MP, Leader of The House of Commons and Secretary of State for Wales also commented on the synergy of the Indian community with the growing bilateral trade and investment relationship. He said: “The Indian community in the UK has helped to contribute to transforming Britain into one of the most successful economies in the country.”
