Post-Brexit UK-India partnership can shape global economy: UK minister

London, June 19 : The first-ever UK-India Week was launched here on Tuesday with the message that a post-Brexit bilateral trade partnership has the potential to shape the global economy.
Britain’s Secretary of State for international trade Liam Fox, who is set to visit India later this year for the next UK-India Joint Economic Trade Committee (JETCO), described India as “foremost” among the UK’s allies and trading partners and hailed reforms initiated by the Indian government.
“We are here to look to the future and lay out our ambitions for a trading partnership that has the potential to shape the global economy,” said the senior Conservative party leader.
“In particular, as we leave the European Union (EU), there is the opportunity for both countries to enhance this partnership–opening up new sectors for business and minimising barriers to trade,” said the minister in charge of the UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT).
The launch event at Taj Hotel in London was marked by the release of the second edition of the ‘100 Most Influential in UK-India Relations’–covering leading figures across business, politics, arts and culture who are seen as making a significant contribution towards enhancing the UK-India relationship. “Collectively, these change-makers help to build a ‘Living Bridge’ between the UK and India–something Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi has long championed and encouraged,” said Manoj Ladwa, Founder & CEO of India Inc–the organisers behind the UK-India Week. Matt Hancock, UK Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, Indian minister of communication Manoj Sinha and the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, YK Sinha, were among the other prominent guests at the event. “It is important that India and the UK ensure that the true potential of this relationship is tapped. As the UK leaves the EU and as India grows steadily, yet surely, there is a definite match between the two countries,” said Sinha. The week-long set of events is aimed at bringing together senior figures in the UK with their counterparts from India for high-level talks.