London, 16 October 2009

The UK Chief Executive Officers of large Indian companies met with Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, on Friday 16th October 2009. With London as a favoured location to base their businesses, the CEOs interacted with the Mayor of London on issues ranging from London's competitiveness as a international business centre through to discussing transport infrastructure, policing and security, and of the opportunities afforded by the 2012 Olympics for international companies.

UK heads of Indian companies including: Tata, Godrej, Polaris Software Labs, ICICI Bank, Punjab National Bank, ITC Infotech, NIIT Technologies, HDFC, Usha Martin, Mahindra Satyam, Infosys Technologies, Saffron Chase, Hiranandani, HCL Technologies and Tata Consultancy Services attended the meeting.

Mr. S. A. Hasan, Co-Chairman of The India Group & Director of Tata Ltd said: "We'd like to thank the Mayor for consulting us, as international investors, on his plans for London. We're grateful for his acknowledgement of our contribution to the economy, and in general to life in London."

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "It's well known what a huge contribution Indian businesses make to London's economy, as well as its culture. So it was an honour to welcome so many key business figures to City Hall, to exchange ideas on how we can work together to maintain this great city's competitiveness, as well as its attractiveness to overseas investors."

Mr Hasan concluded: "London is a natural home to our businesses, and we're encouraged by the Mayor's commitment to engage with the opportunities that India presents to the world."

The India Group is an alliance of the UK CEOs of India's largest private sector companies. Since its inception in 2005, the India Group has interacted with:

• Rt. Hon. Douglas Alexander MP - International Trade Minister
• Tony McNulty MP - Minister for Immigration
• Rt. Hon. Patricia Hewitt MP - Secretary of State for Health
• Ian Pearson MP - International Trade Minister
• Geoffrey Norris - PM's (Tony Blair's) Representative for Business Affairs
• Rt. Hon. Ian McCartney MP - International Trade Minister
• Ken Livingstone - Mayor of London
• Bryan Sanderson - Chairman of the Asia Task Force
• Rt. Hon. David Miliband MP - Secretary of State fro DEFRA
• HRH The Duke of York - International Trade Ambassador
• Lakshmi Mittal - CEO of Arcelor Mittal
• Pat McFadden MP - BERR Minister
• Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP, Rt. Hon. Ken Clarke MP, Rt. Hon. William Hague MP - Opposition Leaders

The group also provided evidence to the Trade & Industry Select Committee on their inquiry on UK - India Trade & Investment Relations and has organised a joint conference with the European Executive Council, which is the equivalent of The India Group, but comprises American companies.