Why London mayor Sadiq Khan visiting India is British diplomacy at its finest
London is considered the land of opportunity. The son of a bus driver, who migrated from Pakistan, grew up to fill the top office in London. This success story speaks volumes for The City.
Years later he visits India, the birthplace of his grandparents – which he now considers the true land of opportunity.
As Britain faces a radically different future for the first time in over 40 years, marking a major shift in the global discourse, London mayor Sadiq Khan’s visit to the India to boost cultural and business ties is a remarkable signal from the UK, solidifying Britain’s long-term interest in the region especially as Brexit looms. India is racing ahead as one of the leading economies in the world, logging in a massive 6.3 per cent growth in the period up to October, and Britain righteously appreciates the meaning behind these figures.
And as India continues to clock towering economic growth, a seismic shift in the balance of power appears to become ever more noticeable. London, Mumbai and New Delhi have always had their fate interwoven, it’s merely a matter of time before deeper trade links between the two are forged – creating opportunities to grow and operate in synchronicity, eased through legislation and special treaties.
The importance of India to the UK was initially underlined when Theresa May chose to visit the country as her first destination outside Europe since becoming prime minister last year. India is imperative to the ruling Conservative UK government's plans to portray that it can secure post-Brexit trade deals with non-European Union countries and given the historical links between the two nations, having shared over 70 years of economic and cultural partnership and with over 1.2 million Indians and over 800 Indian businesses in the UK who are also among the highest job creators in the UK.
At the same time, Britain has provided Indian businesses the comfort of a global financial hub with the London court of international arbitration providing easy access to justice and dispute resolution. The UK also remains the largest G20 investor in India, investing $24.07 billion in the country between the year 2000 and 2016. This commitment to foreign direct investment has yielded positive results, with the UK becoming the largest job creator in India.
The UK and India’s relationship also extends to law, with both countries reaffirming their commitment to mutual legal assistance and facilitating extradition requests during Theresa May’s visit. In addition, both countries vocalised their support for maintaining the legal order of the seas and peaceful resolution of international jurisdictional disputes.
The UK recognises the huge growth potential that Asia's third-largest economy currently holds. This scrupulousness is visible in tacit diplomatic signals that are hidden from view but are impactful nonetheless, for instance, the UK maintains a greater than ever diplomatic presence in India, with 960 staff working across the country to strengthen ties between the two nations. Other signs are more vocal, like the Mayor of London bidding the UK government to apologise for atrocities of the past.
The Mayor’s visit bolsters hope for business and skills exchange in leading industry sectors, providing opportunities in the fields of law, sciences and higher education. However, on any platform of bilateral dialogue with the UK, India has always raised its concerns with the immigration norms; the issue is of utmost importance on India’s agenda and the country has been repeatedly citing the near 50% drop in UK university admissions in its arguments. Sadiq Khan’s #LondonIsopen campaign could potentially open doors to establish opportunities for skilled individuals and students.
Previous bilateral visits from the UK Prime Minister and Chancellor Hammond have established enthusiasm for stronger cooperation with India in a post-Brexit Britain – though the meetings have not reaped any solid results just yet. A major cause of this has been the UK’s harsh stance on immigration towards Indians and at every chance India has emphasised the UK’s restrictive policies. With immigration as one of the focus narratives underplaying the Ango-Indian ties since 2008, Britain must consider skill exchange with a solemn outlook.
Quality immigration is an important aspect for the wellbeing of both countries, and most high skilled Indians that do choose to leave their country – contribute a great deal and add value to the British economy.
The Mayor, who is historically now the first Western politician of his generation to cross the border between India and Pakistan on foot – a symbolic move to bolster social cohesion, announced Britain’s outward strategy to boost the capital’s workforce, saying London would need to tap into international talent to thrive after Brexit.
His plan includes setting up a separate post-study work route for international students to replace the one scrapped by Theresa May in 2012 when she was home secretary. Furthermore, his promise to make London more accessible to entrepreneurs through “fair and flexible” visas is another laudable move which will open floodgates to rapid skill exchange.
Currently, there is huge scope for building new ties and finding common ground to understand the importance of greater movement of people and services between the two markets and Britain’s keen interest in India is expected to bear fruit – Mahatma Gandhi when asked by the British Viceroy “Mr Gandhi what do you want?” Gandhiji replied “I want British to leave India as rulers and return as partners”.
A free trade pact and increased investment between Britain and India will mark a new chapter in relations between the two nations which would be in keeping with the Gandhian vision.