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India, UK ties built on shared values and traditions: Patil | Emphasizing that ties between India and the UK are built upon shared values and traditions, visiting Indian
President Pratibha Devisingh Patil said on Tuesday night that the real strength of any relationship lies in the people-to-people contacts. "The fact that almost
a million people from our two countries travel annually for tourism and business
purposes, and that there are over hundred flights a week linking various cities
of India and the UK, forms a strong foundation to build on these contacts," said
Patil at a State Banquet held in her honour. She further went on to say that the
UK is host to more than one and a half million citizens of Indian origin, representing
two percent of the population who contribute between four to five percent of the
country's GDP. "They are also participating in the social and political life of
the UK. The Diaspora serves as a strong asset in the development of our relationship,"
Patil said. Describing London as a big, old but dynamic city, she said: " It represents
a microcosm of the world with people of different religions and races living together.
It seems to be everyone's city - much like Delhi, the capital of India. The conclusion
of a friendship arrangement between our two capital cities was, thus, natural."
Reflecting on the numerous commonalities between the two countries, Patil said:
"We are vibrant democracies with a free press and active civil societies. We both
believe in freedom, dignity and respect for the individual. Our countries are
forward-looking, adapting to the challenges and trying to shape the outcome of
the 21st Century. It is these shared experiences and objectives that have helped
us to understand each other's vision and concerns leading to broad-based cooperation."
The decision to upgrade the relationship to a 'Strategic Partnership' in 2004,
she said symbolizes mutual trust and confidence in each other. It also signifies
a desire to work together, she added. "India and the UK are natural partners with
an impressive array of complementarities. It is not surprising, therefore, that
our two countries are now engaged in further strengthening our partnership in
different areas including trade and investment, science and technology, education,
counter-terrorism, culture, management of the global economy and issues relating
to climate change," she said. She also said that the business communities of the
two countries have confidence in doing business with each other. Bilateral trade
is growing and, currently stands at 12 billion pounds, she added. "While the UK
is one of India's most important trade and investment partners, India has become
one of the largest investors in the UK. These links are set to grow further. Cooperation
in the Information and Technology sector is another high point of our relationship.
Other sectors tell the same story. Education linkages are expanding rapidly. There
are more than 30,000 of our students in the UK. There is a realization that both
India and the UK stand to gain through cooperation in the education sector," Patil
said. She said India was proud to be a part of the Commonwealth, which celebrates
its 60th anniversary this year, and reiterated that the Commonwealth Games to
be held in Delhi in October 2010 would accord a warm welcome to the British delegation
led by the Queen. |
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