Hyderabad, Chandigarh to have British deputy high commissions

NEW DELHI: Britain will set up two new deputy high commissions in India -- in Hyderabad and Chandigarh -- to deepen its ties with the country, British High Commissioner James Bevan said here Wednesday.

"These new offices will focus, like much of the rest of our network in India, on boosting trade and investment between the United Kingdom and India. That will help secure greater prosperity for all our citizens," said Bevan in a statement.

"This expansion of our diplomatic network is a reflection of India's rapid and successful growth and the UK's commitment to deepening our relationship with India," he said.

Britain currently has deputy high commissions in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore.

With the two new offices, Britain will have the most extensive diplomatic network of any country in India, said the statement.