High Commissioner of India to the UK welcomed in Manchester
Manchester India Partnership welcomed the High Commissioner of India to the UK, His Excellency V Doraiswami to the Old Trafford Centre on Friday 13 January 2023. The visit, which was his first visit outside of London for the Commissioner, is to build on relationships between India and businesses, universities and the public sector in Greater Manchester as negotiations for a free trade agreement between the two countries progress.
The visit was delivered by the Manchester India Partnership – an award-winning organisation established in 2018 by the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership – and Greater Manchester’s inward investment agency, MIDAS, to bring together businesses, universities, and the public sector to develop a strategic approach to engaging India, in collaboration with the Department for International Trade.
The country’s initiatives in key sectors such as cyber, ecommerce, low carbon and health innovation align closely with GMs strengths in these areas, creating huge opportunities for mutually beneficial investment, innovation and job creation.
Whilst in the Greater Manchester region, Mr Doraiswami visited The University of Manchester and the National Graphene Institute to learn more about the institution’s R&D activity in India and the University’s growing Indian student population. The High Commissioner met with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, local MPs, Indian businesses and organisations in the area, including Welspun, one of India’s fastest growing global conglomerates based in Stockport.
Mr Doraiswami was also introduced to the team at The Manchester Museum, set to reopen next month with a brand-new South Asia gallery that will showcase Greater Manchester’s diverse cultural environment and the strong historical links the city-region shares with India.
The High Commissioner of India in the UK, His Excellency Mr Vikram Doraiswami said: “As a venue of innovation, industry and entrepreneurial energy, Manchester offers exciting partnerships for India. Over 30 Indian firms are already generating value, sustaining iconic brands, and sustaining local employment.
This partnership is expected to grow in future as synergies in new fields like clean energy and green mobility emerge. That apart, the area will always have a special place for many Indians because of its iconic stadiums, cricket and football teams.’”
Manchester India Partnership Chair, Simon Arora added,
“India is a priority Foreign Direct Investment and trade market for Greater Manchester and we are committed to maintaining and growing this relationship
It was an honour to welcome Mr Vikram Doraiswami to the city-region to share ideas and opportunities for mutual growth and prosperity; we look forward to the future of this partnership.”
In September 2022, The Manchester India Partnership (MIP) launched a refreshed strategy to harness the power of its high-level networks in the UK and India.
For further information, visit https://www.investinmanchester.com/manchester-india-partnership/
