A partnership lit by common values

Last night I had the pleasure of hosting my first Diwali reception in Washington. Diwali is the Festival of Lights celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains around the world that culminates in the New Year. Given my long history working both in South Asia and on South Asian issues, I’ve been to my share of Diwali events whether at the British High Commission in Delhi or in London, where the FCO annually hosts a Diwali reception. However, the pleasure of hosting one in my own home was very special. My mother was born in India, I met my wife Amanda there and our daughter is called India

My home was ablaze with lights last night, brightly coloured candles and scarves adorned all the surfaces, the scent of Indian spices permeated the room and the house was full of guests in vibrant traditional attire. All of these are tell-tale signs of Diwali, a holiday during which people give thanks for good fortune and celebrate prosperity. In this time of global economic hardship, it seems all the more important to appreciate what we have. Of course, India, as the home to the greatest numbers of Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains in the world is where Diwali is celebrated most avidly.

Nevertheless, given the UK is home to between 1.5-2 million people of Indian descent, Diwali celebrations in the UK are also something to witness. As our largest ethnic minority, Brits of Indian descent make a significant contribution to the UK economy and enrich British society with their traditions, culture and diversity. One in five of the UK’s Under-40 richest club is of Indian origin. The Indian multinational Tata Inc. is the largest single manufacturing company in the UK. And there are eight MP’s in Britain of Indian origin.

At the same time, the UK-India bilateral trade relationship is robust and growing. The UK and India are among the top investors in each other’s economies. The UK is the largest European investor in India and the UK is the most popular business destination in Europe for Indian companies. Our government – from Prime Minister Cameron down – has made no secret of the fact that we want an even closer, more dynamic and forward-looking relationship with India. In the past year, we’ve introduced a variety of bilateral initiatives aimed at increasing trade between our nations. Due in part to these measures, the bilateral trade between the UK and India grew by 20% last year bringing the total to £13 billion.

Brits with Indian heritage are improving the UK-US economic relationship as well. One example is Ravi Ruia, the vice-chairman of Essar Group. Essar Steel is developing a new production facility in Minnesota that will employ roughly 500 people. Constructing the facility will provide work for another 2,000 Minnesotans. The $1.6 billion investment by Essar contributes to the $432 billion invested by the UK in the US.

We see a similar pattern emerging here among the highly successful 2.4 million Indian Americans in the US who are steadily increasing their influence and representation in business, politics and media, to name a few fields. In the U.S. the British Embassy is not alone in celebrating Diwali, our friends at the White House have marked the occasion for several years running.

These people-to-people and trade links are underpinned in all three countries by our shared commitment to democracy, pluralism and tolerance. That common foundation will continue to guide our future cooperation.