The Europe India Centre for Business and Industry (EICBI), in association with Abiflo, successfully hosted its 27th UK India Leaders Conference at the UK Parliament in London. The event brought together thought leaders, political figures, and industry experts to discuss key issues impacting the UK-India relationship, focusing on the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations and the future of bilateral ties in various sectors.
Opening Remarks and Keynote Speeches
Welcome Note: The conference opened with a welcome address by EICBI Vice Chair - Events Mr Abhishek Tripathi, who is also the Managing Director – Abiflo, who set the tone for a day of engaging and insightful discussions.
Keynote Address by Lord Sahota: Lord Sahota. Member of House of Lords, UK Parliament, delivered an inspiring keynote, emphasizing his personal journey and longstanding relationship with EICBI. He spoke on the significance of building stronger ties between India and the UK.
Chairman's Address by Sujit S Nair: Sujit S Nair, Chairman of EICBI, provided an insightful address outlining the organization's extensive work in fostering UK-India relations over the years. He offered a detailed overview of the conference structure, explaining how the day's panel discussions were designed to cover strategic pathways for the UK-India FTA, the future of bilateral relations beyond the agreement, and investment opportunities within the UK-India corridor. His remarks underscored EICBI's commitment to furthering bilateral ties through policy, business, and cultural engagements.
Speech by Councillor Aarien: Councillor Aarien Areti, who is also EICBI Vice Chair - Government relations, introduced key members of the UK Parliament and invited them to share their perspectives on the evolving UK-India relationship.
Address by Lord Kulveer Ranger: Lord Ranger highlighted the role of digitization in India's accelerated economic growth during the pandemic. He referred to the current generation as a "living bridge" between India and the UK, focusing on education and entrepreneurship as key drivers of bilateral relations. A subsequent Q&A session explored British universities' presence in India, tech collaborations, and data protection challenges.
Remarks by former MP Virendra Sharma: Former British MP Virendra Sharma reflected on his longstanding association with both EICBI and the UK-India relationship, offering insights into his personal journey in politics.
Address by Rami Ranger: Lord Rami Ranger - Member of UK Parliament, House of Lords discussed the intersection of technology, history, and archaeology, underscoring the importance of understanding India's past to inform future collaborations.
Address by Dick Roche: Mr Dick Roche. Consultant - Public Policy & Current Affairs emphasized the need for stronger UK-India relations, stressing that both countries must transcend borders to build a solid partnership.
Introduction of MEP Lars Berg: Mr Lars Berg, Ex Member of European Parliament, added depth to the conversation with his observations on the evolving dynamic between India and the EU
Panel Discussions
Strategic Pathways to Finalising the UK-India FTA
Moderated by Lord Kulveer Ranger, this panel focused on the strategic considerations required for completing the UK-India Free Trade Agreement. Panellists discussed the remaining hurdles and the steps needed to secure a mutually beneficial deal. Emphasis was placed on key sectors driving economic growth, such as technology and manufacturing.
Key contributions:
Dr. Ravi Shankar Polisetty (CEO, Sai Ganga Panakeia): Spoke on integrating Ayurveda with modern science as a growth sector.
Philip Worrall (Chair, Institute of Directors): Discussed the role of businesses in addressing climate change and promoting gender equity.
Halil Bedevi (UK Head of Advanced Manufacturing Sectors, Santander UK): Stressed collaboration and trust as critical factors in progress.
Prof. (Dr.) D.K. Giri (Chairman, IETO Academic Committee): Expressed optimism regarding the resolution of post-Brexit issues to advance the FTA.
The discussion concluded with a focus on positioning the West Midlands as an attractive destination for Indian businesses.
The Future of UK-India Relations Beyond the FTA
Moderated by Dr. Raaj Shamji, who is from the Department of theology and religion, University of Birmingham, this panel delved into the broader implications of the FTA for future UK-India relations. Key areas for deeper cooperation included technology, green energy, and education.
Notable contributions:
Alec Anderson (Koolmills Systems Ltd): Emphasized the importance of accelerated growth.
Mr. B. Lakshmi Kantham IAS (Retd): Highlighted the significance of curiosity and creativity in economic collaboration.
Dr. Shishank (Associate Professor, Digital Transformation): Spoke on the need for sustainable collaboration and overcoming commonwealth-related challenges.
Mr. Joel Singh (Director, GEC Space Programme): Highlighted the potential for space sector collaboration to strengthen bilateral ties. Key issues such as intellectual property protection and GDPR regulations were discussed in the Q&A.
Investing in Growth in the UK-India Corridor
Moderated by Ms. Alice Bromage, Founder CEO - Empowering Success, this panel addressed the role of investors in fostering SME innovation and cross-border partnerships. Discussions focused on the support mechanisms needed for SMEs to thrive under the FTA and the broader opportunities available in both nations.
Key takeaways:
Andrew Rice (COO, Global NRG Advisory Limited): Highlighted the role of education in building trust between investors and businesses.
Prof. Olinga Taeed (Director, Centre for Citizenship, Enterprise, and Governance): Discussed the role of platforms and algorithms in the evolving economic landscape, focusing on the movement of tangible and intangible assets.
Dr. Sophie Dale-Black (Managing Director, SDB Innovation) and Dr. Bharab Bin: Explored synergies between UK-India investments, particularly the need for financing solutions to support women-led businesses in both countries.
Acknowledgments and Conclusion
The conference concluded with a Vote of thanks and Moderator Mr Abhishek Tripathi recited a Sanskrit shloka to express gratitude to all participants. Floral bouquets were presented to distinguished parliamentarians in recognition of their contributions to UK-India relations. This successful event showcased EICBI's role in promoting meaningful discussions and advancing collaborations between India and the UK
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