Tech & Trade Poised to Deepen UK-India Ties

Narendra Modi recently took oath as the Prime Minister of India, marking the start of his third term. Ultimately Modi governs with the national interest in mind, and that is what we are likely to see more of on the world stage during his latest term. Despite the Bhartiya Janta Party's failure to win a majority on its own, this is unlikely to impact Prime Minister Modi's national or international agenda or any foreign policies. His ability to drive India forward on the world stage remains intact, as the allied parties he depends on are provincial groups with no national vision or ideas.

PM Modi has always championed India’s national interests globally, which will continue to define his leadership in his new term. His focus will likely remain on development, economic growth, and lifting people into prosperity. As a geostrategist and scholar Brahma Chellaney noted, even weaker coalition governments in India have achieved major reforms and economic booms under effective leadership. For example, India clocked 10 per cent growth between 2006 and 2007 and became a nuclear state under a BJP administration with just 182 seats; now it has 240. Therefore, it is likely that Modi as Prime Minister will still be able to achieve significant milestones internationally, despite the BJP's diminished majority.

After PM Modi won the election and became India's leader again, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasised the strong friendship between the UK and India, predicting it would continue to thrive. UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron echoed this sentiment, highlighting that an enduring living bridge between the countries connects our people. I believe that Lord Cameron meant that the UK and India must make the most of our shared values, culture, heritage, language, and traditions. With nearly two million people of Indian descent in Britain, there is hope that future UK leaders, after the July 4th election, will continue to work closely with PM Modi and take our relationship to the next level by turbocharging trade and security cooperation. 

UK's friend France has been proactive in its relationship with India, forging deals on fighter jets and adopting Indian payment technologies like UPI, which can now be used at the Eiffel Tower. It would be great if the UK could extend a hand of friendship, goodwill and respect for India and adopt many of the leading technologies it is coming up with - from UPI to 6G.  

One major goal to enhance the two countries' relationship remains the coveted free trade agreement, which has yet to materialise despite being touted as a significant benefit of Brexit. Achieving this would mark a significant milestone. There is much potential for growth and collaboration, and the hope is that the next UK Prime Minister will be as enthusiastic about this relationship as many are right now.

India's pluralism is what makes it such an exciting and alluring place. This diversity encompasses religion, culture, values, and traditions, allowing all to coexist and thrive. Many people in parts of Europe and Britain often misunderstand this because they don't have the same level of pluralism in the same sense. 

However, the thriving diversity is one of the most important and enduring traits of India. I saw it firsthand on my trip to the country, through my visits to the Golden Temple in Punjab, Banglasahib Gurudwara in New Delhi, Ram Temple in Ayodhya, and the streets of Varanasi.   At the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi, I saw a plethora of different people from all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, including myself, witnessing and sharing the spiritual experience. Although, raised as a Christian, I'm not traditionally religious. But none of it mattered when I was in India. At the Gurdwara, I was thanked for being there, participated in giving donations, and received blessings. At the Ram Temple, I received the blessing in the form of a marigold flower, which is a tradition, and it was beautiful to have been part of it. This is a crucial part of Indian culture - they welcome you wholeheartedly. 

Witnessing people of all religions participating excitedly at a campaign rally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi, which is the oldest city in the world echoed the inclusive ethos of the country. There is a tendency worldwide to oversimplify narratives about instances of sectarian violence, which often results in misjudgement. Because from what I witnessed on the ground, the nation is incredibly warm, both literally and metaphorically. 

In a fortunate meeting, Sri Iqbal Singh Lalpura, Chairman of India's National Commission for Minorities, shared policies helping minorities thrive in India. One of the many examples is outlawing triple Talaq liberated many Muslim women. With the Citizenship Amendment Act, India is also looking to aid and provide a home to persecuted Hindus from Pakistan, giving them a fair chance at a new life. With leaders like Shri Iqbal and immense funding—Rs 3,183.24 crore in the latest budget for the department maintaining minority rights—India shows its serious commitment to pluralism. These are facts, that stand in contrast to the countries often engaging in virtue signalling without genuine investment in promoting pluralistic societies. This can lead to divisive narratives, which we get in Britain. India's genuine enthusiasm for pluralism offers valuable lessons for countries like Britain. 

For elections in India, it has to be ensured that voters do not have to travel more than two kilometres to cast their vote. A country of 1.4 billion people, it has almost a billion registered voters. This Lok Sabha election saw the country trying to deliver democracy to people living in some of the most challenging terrains in the world. We saw reports of officers trekking through jungles, mountains, and tricky rivers, to ensure that all had access to locking their vote. This dedication highlights India's enthusiasm for democracy, similar to its passion for pluralism. 

During elections, there's a carnival atmosphere with people eagerly participating, a stark contrast to the UK, where elections often elicit eye-rolls and apathy and voter participation can be lacklustre. For instance, it's hard to imagine a campaign rally for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attracting as many enthusiastic participants as a rally in India. India's vibrant electoral process and widespread passion for participation are elements that the UK could learn from, fostering a deeper engagement with democracy back home.

Apart from a pluralistic and democratic society, Indians have an aspirational free enterprising spirit. As India notes rapid economic growth, its startup ecosystem has exploded. This boom can be traced back to the liberalisation of the economy in 1991 when the country embraced the free market and capitalism. A second transformative moment came in 2014 when Narendra Modi first took power. 

I spoke to an Indian social media superstar and entrepreneur, Abhishek Asthana, also known as Gabbar Singh during my visit to India. He highlighted that the mass rollout of digital and physical infrastructure, what he calls "information highways," has enabled many Indians to start businesses. Access to the internet and technology has allowed people to create online businesses and profit from platforms like YouTube and Instagram. 

Abhishek shared that starting a business has become much easier, with fewer barriers and less red tape. He didn't even have to leave his house or visit a government office to launch his venture. Before 1991, goods were government-produced with little competition. Post-2014, business became democratised, making entrepreneurship accessible to many.

With PM Modi entering his third term, the focus will continue on technological innovation and infrastructure development. For instance, the Khavda Renewable Energy Park in Gujarat will span 200 square miles, five times the size of Paris, and will be visible from space. Projects like this highlight the shift towards renewable energy and green technology, which is essential as India faces extreme heat and climate change. These advancements will drive India's economy forward, with technology access playing a crucial role in shaping the country's future under PM Modi's leadership.

India's industrial and manufacturing growth is driven by the aspirational and industrious spirit of its people. This is evident across all socio-economic strata. In Varanasi, for instance, I saw children and elderly people alike selling goods by the river Ganga, from Diya, veneration flowers, to tea. Their determination to earn a living and support their families reflects a pervasive get-up-and-go attitude.

British-Indian entrepreneur and my guide in India, Amlandeep Bogle, shared a personal story illustrating this spirit. His grandfather moved to India to set up a steel factory in Jalandhar, Punjab, which is now a successful operation. This entrepreneurial drive is creating a robust environment for British products to be developed in India as well.

I also spoke with a well-known content creator Gurav Chowdhury, better known as Technical Guruji. He recently met with Google CEO Sundar Pichai, himself one of India's greatest export, who praised India's local talent and potential for exciting developments owing to the remarkable local talent and they are growing more confident by the day. Pichai noted that brands like Apple are drawn to India for its stability and delivery on promises.

What we see with the Indian government and under Narendra Modi’s leadership is the delivery of promises from their manifestos. Unfortunately, the same hasn't been true for the British leadership and many others around the world. From the fulfilment of the nuclear test manifesto promise by India’s former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which shocked everyone, to ongoing development projects, India is a place where commitments are realised. This reliability attracts businesses and fuels industrial growth, setting India apart from other parts of the world where development doesn't happen on the same scale.

The Make in India initiative is also a huge contributor to the nation's economic growth. A striking example is the production of British-designed cars like Land Rovers and motorcycles like Royal Enfields now taking place in India. These iconic brands being manufactured in India signal to the world that India is serious about business. This not only enhances economic development but also elevates the country's profile on the global stage. 

There's a tendency in international media to view India through the old lens. I admit that I was guilty of this too. Many across the world don't realise the immense changes happening daily and every minute in India. People often cling to old perceptions without coming here to see the transformation firsthand. I urge everyone to visit and see India from a fresh perspective. It's easy to look down on a country and dismiss it as still developing, but it's crucial to note the pace of development, which is incredible in India.

This is what we should be focusing on when we talk about the stories of India, simply because it's a fascinating story. For instance, the remarkable efficiencies of businesses and people in India. A random example is how at my hotel, my laundry was returned perfectly folded within two hours, showcasing the impressive speed and scale at which things are done. At the Daily Express as well, we're now highlighting these incredible stories for they deserve celebration. From new highways to bridges connecting cities, the feats of development are impressive and worth sharing with the world. 

When I was in India, I learned an interesting word: "Jugaad." It embodies the spirit of innovation and resourcefulness, finding creative solutions to problems. This spirit of Jugaad, present throughout the country is driving its growth. Additionally, the country has a strong free-enterprise and capitalist spirit. Political analyst Indrani Bagchi, CEO of the Delhi-based think tank Ananta Centre told me, "Capitalism is our natural state. For many years, we were not a capitalist economy, and that dragged us down. But since the 90s, successive leaders have pushed our economy towards the free market."

India's drive to be industrious and to grow is part of its nature. External factors, like colonial rule and certain political decisions, once held India back. But now, with liberalisation and an open economy, the future is bright. The potential for growth and development seems limitless.