UK to strengthen trade, business relations with India

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The United Kingdom will continue to strengthen trade, business and tourism relations with India even during post Brexit period, British Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai Bharat Joshi said here today.

"We are the largest investor in India and we want to continue to strengthen the trade and industrial relationship with the country," Joshi told reporters here while detailing the various scholarship programmes offered by Britain.

"India is the second largest investor in London and India is on the top of the list for the partnership with UK. Our relation with India is already firm and we will continue to strengthen it," he said.

Asked whether there would be any problem for Indians working in UK during post Brexit, He said "They do not have anything to worry about."

Joshi said the UK wants to encourage more British tourists to visit India.

"A large number of British tourists visit India every year and many of them come to Kerala also," he said adding "we want more British tourists to visit the Gods Own country."

On the Scholarship programme, Joshi said the UK offers largest scholarship programme anywhere in the world. Among them, flagship programme is Chevening, the UK's International Award Scheme aimed at developing global leaders, he said.

"The Chevening India programme is the largest in the world offering up to 65 fully paid scholarship and 65 fully paid fellowships every year", he said.

"Chevening Fellowships are awarded to talented professionals who are potential future leaders, decision-makers, and opinion formers", he said.

"The fellowships offer financial support to mid-career professionals already in positions of leadership and influence", he said.

Joshi also said there were only few persons applying for the scholarship from Kerala. He wanted more people from the state to utilise the schemes offered by UK.

"Many Scholarship has already opened and others would open in the coming days," he added.