TONY BLAIR STRENGTHENS INDO-BRITISH RELATIONSHIP
(3 March 2005)

In a rousing speech given today at the Annual Luncheon of the Labour Friends of India group, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair sought to strengthen ties between India and the UK by highlighting the common values between the two nations. "A belief in opportunity and fairness, and reward for hard work. We share a real passion for education and a belief in the importance of family and community", he told the gathered audience of over by 300 prominent Indian businessmen and politicians.

Held at the Cafe Royal in London, the luncheon was also supported by The Rt. Hon. Mr Charles Clarke MP, Home Secretary, The Rt. Hon. Mrs Patricia Hewitt MP, Trade Secretary, The Rt. Hon. Mr Paul Boateng MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Ms Fiona Mactaggart, Home Office Minister, Mr Tony McNulty MP, Transport Minister, Mr Barry Gardiner MP, Northern Ireland Minister, Lord David Triesman, Lords Whip (Minister) and Keith Vaz MP.

The event, co-ordinated by the Chairman of Labour Friends of India, Stephen Pound MP, was undoubtedly a key launch pad in Labour's Campaign to win the next general election. Tony Blair said "I am immensely proud that it was under a Labour Government that India secured her independence, and I am also proud that 60 years on, the relationship between our two countries today is probably as strong as it has been in all of those almost 60 years". He thanked the Indian community for their invaluable contribution to the life, economy and culture of Britain and went on to say "We, of course, have huge historical and cultural ties. But I think the reason why our relationship today is strong is because we're sharing a global vision and democratic views."

"The close links on trade and investment are well known" he told the gathering which included His Excellency Mr Kamalesh Sharma, Indian High Commissioner, Mr Satyabrata Pal, Deputy High Commissioner, industrialist Lord Swaraj Paul, businessman Sir Gulam Noon, Mr Sonjoy Chatterjee Managing Director of Sponsors ICICI Bank (UK) Ltd, Mr Onkar S Kanwar, President of Sponsors FICCI."The India-British Partnership has seen bilateral trade and investment increase dramatically since its creation 12 years ago", the Prime Minister added."We are India's second largest trading partner and cumulatively the number one investment in India, and I want to carry on building on the strong foundation for your business and our business also".

The Prime Minister acknowledged, however, that "we need to do more, frankly, to improve the involvement and representation of your community, indeed all ethnic minority communities in politics and public life"in the UK. He advised that the "key element in international relations today is interdependence" and warned of "potential danger and a threat to our security and stability is in those who want to set apart races, faiths and cultures. Those who want to define their identity according to difference rather than according to what we have in common together, and who want rather than celebrating our diversity, to make it a point of conflict".

Tony Blair ended by defining one of the goals of Labour Friends in India as one of helping to define and enrich the India-British relationship. "The Indian community in this country make a huge contribution recognised by all today. And I believe that in the work that we do together, we are sending out not just something important on a day to day basis, we are sending out a signal, a symbol if you like, of a different and better world to come".

	LABOUR FRIENDS OF INDIAN ANNUAL LUNCHEON 2005
	Click for larger image	Click for larger image
	Click for larger image	Click for larger image
	Click for larger image Lady Mohini Kent and Pavan Varma, Director of The Nehru Centre.	Click for larger image Alpesh Patel, Bombay Dreams star Preeya Kalidas and Film Producer, Parminder Vir.
	Click for larger image The Rt. Hon Paul Boateng MP (Right).	Click for larger image Deputy Indian High Commissioner Satyabrata Pal with Lord Swaraj Paul
	Click for larger image	Click for larger image

Top