Why India? Why the UK?

Why India? Because India matters to the world because it’s not only a rising power, it’s a responsible global power, said the newly elected British Prime Minister  David Cameron on the first day of his visit to India on June 28, 2010 at the Infosys in India.

Why the UK? Because Britain is one of the world’s oldest democracies. India the world’s largest. Both these countries have a shared commitment to pluralism and tolerance. “We have deep and close connections among our people, with nearly two million people of Indian origin living in the UK. They make an enormous contribution to our country, way out of proportion to their size, in business, the arts and sport”, Cameron said in his Infosys speech.

Here are excerpts from his speech^*

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"Why India?

So why is your country important for Britain’s future?
The most obvious reason is economic.
There is still a development road to travel but thanks to the reform process begun by Manmohan Singh in the 1990s, the Indian tiger has been uncaged and its power can be felt around the world.
You feel it in the fantastic new airports in Bangalore and Hyderabad, in Mumbai’s Bandra-Worla Sea Link, in the Delhi metro and in Delhi’s stunning new airport terminal.
And we can feel that power back home too.
The Tata Group is now the largest manufacturing employer in Britain.
And more than 180 Indian companies have invested in our IT sector.
At the same time, India represents an enormous opportunity for British companies. Already our trade relationship is worth £11.5 billion a year. But I want us to go further.
India plans to invest over $500bn in infrastructure in the coming years. That is of course good for Indian business, but it is also a chance for British companies to generate growth. Your retail market is growing by 25 per cent annually, and there is no reason why British companies should not be a part of that too.
India is adding 15 million new mobile phone users every month. British companies can play an even greater role in that, providing services to the Indian consumer and creating jobs in India and back in the UK.
So I want this to be a relationship which drives economic growth upwards, and drives our unemployment figures downwards.
This is a trade mission, yes, but I prefer to see it as my jobs mission.
Indian companies employ 90,000 people in the UK.  Many more jobs in Britain exist thanks to the activities of British companies in India. Now I want to see thousands more jobs created in Britain, and of course in India through trade in the months and years ahead.  That is the core purpose of my visit.”
At the height of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, they said: “Go West, Young Man” to find opportunity and fortune.
For today’s investors and entrepreneurs, they should go east.
But this country matters to Britain, for many reasons beyond your economy too.
With over 700 million voters and three million elected representatives at council level, your democracy is a beacon to our world.
You have a wonderful tradition of democratic secularism.
Home to dozens of faiths and hundreds of languages, people are free to be Muslim, Hindu or Sikh, or speak Marathi, Punjabi or Tamil.
But at the same time, and without any contradiction, they are all Indian too.
And India matters to the world because it’s not only a rising power, it’s a responsible global power.
You provide significant support to Afghanistan, which we welcome, and your efforts in Nepal and Bhutan are vital.
You are a leading provider of peacekeeping troops to the UN.
And as I saw for myself at the G20, your Prime Minister has personally provided great intellectual leadership in economic matters.
That’s why the time has come for India to take the seat it deserves in the UN Security Council.

“Why the UK?

These are the reasons why India matters to Britain.
But why should Britain matter to India?
I believe our two countries are natural partners.

Britain is one of the world’s oldest democracies. India the world’s largest.

We have a shared commitment to pluralism and tolerance.

We have deep and close connections among our people, with nearly two million people of Indian origin living in the UK.

They make an enormous contribution to our country, way out of proportion to their size, in business, the arts and sport.

India and Britain also share so much culturally…

… whether it’s watching Shah Rukh Khan, eating the same food, speaking the same language and of course, watching the same sport.

Many of you in this room would have grown up revering Kapil Dev.

I did the same with Ian Botham.

And Sachin Tendulkar, the Little Master, is so talented that wherever you’re from, you can’t help but admire him as he hits another century.

Indeed, culture is so important to our relationship that it’s going to be a significant part of what I talk to Prime Minister Singh about tomorrow.

And there are huge attractions to Britain as this century progresses.

Britain still has the strengths of its history, not least our democracy, rule of law, strong institutions and global language.

But there is also the modern dynamism of the nation that helped pioneer the internet, unravelled the DNA code and whose music, films and television are admired the world over.

We are also in a time-zone that lets you talk to Asia in the morning and America in the evening.

We are still the world’s sixth largest manufacturer and the best base for companies wanting to do business in Europe.

We have some of the best universities in the world

And we are a great hub for science and innovation.

That’s why so much of what we are announcing on this trip is so exciting.

UK and India Research funders have committed up to £60 million worth of jointly-funded research into climate change, water and food security and disease prevention.

British and Indian scientists will collaborate on £2m worth of research that will help nuclear power stations to be safer, more efficient and produce less waste.

And the Wellcome Trust has announced £45 million of research with the Indian Department of Biotechnology on affordable healthcare.

“Shared challenges

It’s for all these reasons that I believe it makes sense for us both to elevate our relationship to new heights.

But this isn’t just about Britain and India.

This is a relationship that can benefit the world.

The way I see it, there are three major global challenges that we have a duty to meet together – challenges that should shape our relationship.

“Economy

The first is economic.

In the past couple of years, we have seen nothing less than global economic carnage.

Collapsed banks. Massive government deficits. Huge unemployment lines. Tumbling currencies. Trade dented. Businesses lost. Livelihoods destroyed.

In Britain, we suffered our longest and deepest recession since the war and are now trying to get to grips with our highest-ever peacetime deficit.

In India, exports fell, capital left the country, and growth slowed.

So as we emerge from this crisis, we both have to ask ourselves: how can we continue to spread economic opportunity for our people?

We come at this from different angles.

The Indian story is well-known.

There is still a huge challenge but on any measure India is on its way – a rising economic power. On any measure, India is on an upward trajectory.

We in Britain are determined to work even harder to earn our living.

Attracting more foreign investment to our shores. Making more things for the world again. Selling ourselves to the world with more vigour than ever.

I’m not ashamed to say that’s one of the reasons why I’m here today.

So let me set out what I believe should be our common strategy for economic growth.

“Competitive economies

Our strategy must begin with making our own economies as open as possible.

Within fifty days of coming into power, our new coalition government introduced an emergency budget.

Its aim was explicit – to show Britain was open for business.

And its methods were equally clear – cutting red tape, reducing corporation tax rates, and, crucially, improving our infrastructure.

Both India and Britain are in the same boat here.

We both need to update and modernise our infrastructure.

So I’m delighted that Vince Cable, our Business Secretary, has signalled that we will have much closer co-operation on infrastructure in the years ahead, sharing knowledge and expertise on transport and energy.

“Foreign direct investment

These changes are about making our countries the best place in the world to business – and it’s in that context that we should encourage more investment by Indian companies in Britain…

…and vice versa.

Both of us already benefit.

JCB, BAE, Cairn, Standard Chartered, Mott McDonald, Wipro, Religare, HCL, Infosys – these are just some of the companies who do business across our countries.

But I want to see more Indians setting up in Britain and more Brits setting up over here.

There are some important things we can do straight away – and I’m going to be discussing them with Prime Minister Singh tomorrow.

Science and Innovation Scholarships, sponsored by Rolls Royce.

Extending the successful UK-India Education and Research Initiative.

Encouraging the twinning of our top universities with the fourteen new Innovation universities India plans to create.

Education is not just vital for national success – it is one of the best growth businesses of the 21st century.  I want us in Britain and India to pool some of our advantages for our mutual benefit.  And will that mean that  more Indian students will want to trade with Britain, set up businesses in Britain, partner with Britain? I certainly hope so.

But the real prize will come when we take some difficult decisions.

There are no two-ways about this, we’ve got to take on the vested interests and open up.

We in Britain have welcomed your expertise in car manufacturing and steel production.

But we want you to reduce the barriers to foreign investment in banking, insurance, defence manufacturing and legal services – and reap the benefits.

“Trade

More investment in each others’ economies will be a vital boost to both our countries.

But so too will trade.

Again, on trade there are some relatively simple steps we can take, like streamlining customs red tape to save time and money – and we’re committed to it.

Other things will take more time and effort, but are absolutely crucial.

EU-India trade is worth £50 billion a year already – but the possibility is there for dramatic expansion.

So let’s seize it.  

I’m determined that we conclude an EU and India Free Trade Agreement before the end of the year.

And it’s time to hammer out a global deal on trade too.

Agree on Doha, and do you know how much we would add to the world economy?

$170 billion.

So what’s holding us back?

I would like us to complete the Doha Development Round as it is – and that’s why, rightly, I’m pushing for it.

Let’s be clear – right now, negotiations are not moving.  So those of us who want passionately to see progress must now make the case for trade at the tops of our voices.

One way that I believe we can do so is by establishing a high level group of the best minds and strongest advocates for trade to point the way forward. I believe we will all need to show greater ambition.  We need to make the deal bigger in order to make progress.  If necessary, we should make proposals bigger in order to make progress.

In the meantime we must make changes where we can.  Trade facilitation can clear the way to much greater economic growth.

And if we do it we will take such a giant leap towards meeting the economic challenge of our age.

“Security

The second challenge we must meet together is ensuring global security.

Five years ago, fifty-two people were killed on the tube and on a bus in London.

And in November 2008, we watched in horror as terrorists went on the rampage in Mumbai, killing scores of Indians and three British nationals.

As you know, we worked with your government in the investigation into these events.

We remain determined that those responsible must be brought to justice.

And I am here today to propose an even closer security relationship between India and Britain.

The terrorists we face are adept at crossing borders, communicating globally, and concocting the most abhorrent plans to destroy our way of live.

It’s only by increasing the ties between us that we can defeat them.

So I want us to broaden our counterterrorism partnership, including looking at new areas such as cyber security and terrorist financing.

This year, Delhi hosts the Commonwealth Games.

In two years, London hosts the Olympic Games.

It makes sense that we work together to ensure both are as safe and successful as possible – through close co-operation between the Delhi Police and the London Metropolitan police.

And I want us to go further in expanding our security co-operation.

When it comes to defence technology, India and Britain have a lot to offer each other in terms of sharing expertise.

And we have a proven track record of being ready to share it – as  with the building of Jaguar and Hawk aircraft in this city in recent decades.

I want to see more – and I’m going to be visiting HAL next to talk about what more we can do in this crucial sector.

Of course, when it comes to protecting our people, we cannot overlook what is happening in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Let me state clearly: your relations with those countries are a matter for you – and you alone.

But let me also say:

We – like you – want a Pakistan that is stable, democratic and free from terror.

We – like you – want an Afghanistan that is secure, free from interference from its neighbours and not a threat to our security.

We – like you – are determined that groups like the Taliban, the Haqqani network or Lakshar e Taiba should not be allowed to launch attacks on Indian and British citizens in India or in Britain.  Nor against our people, whether soldiers or civilians, from both our countries who are working for peace in Afghanistan.

Our interests are your interests – so let’s work together to realise them.

“Climate change

The third challenge we must meet together is tackling climate change.

Fail to act now and we are looking down the barrel of catastrophic floods, intense heat waves and droughts.

Physical geography would dictate human geography, climate change exacerbating waves of migration, poverty, and hunger.

In fact, nowhere are the risks from climate change more apparent than here in India – with over half a billion people on the Ganges Plain and much more of your agriculture dependent on water from the Himalayas and a reliable monsoon

So the time for decisive action is long overdue.

The UK has already reduced carbon emissions by more than 20 percent from 1990 levels.

And our new government has been taking radical steps to de-carbonise and build a greener economy.

But unilateral action can only take us so far.

Climate change does not respect borders - what is sown in one part of the world is reaped the world over.

That’s why we need global action, with all major economies playing their part.

That must start at government level.

Getting an international agreement on climate change is now a matter of urgency.

I know this poses difficult questions – not least on fairness.

It’s only fair that those with the longest history of carbon emissions play the biggest part.  But it has to be a global effort.

So as we look towards Cancun, let’s sit down and thrash out what a global agreement on climate change could look like.

As well as that, I want to see the UK and India working at a business and research level too.

I am convinced that in no time at all, we will see new cars that are really fuel efficient, new sources of energy that are affordable, new products that will change the way we live.

These will not only help protect our planet – but bring with them jobs and money.

Question is: who’s going to make them?

Why not us?

Already British and Indian companies are building solar panels right here in Bangalore.

And Indian manufacturers are working on the next generation of electric cars in Britain.

But we must go further.

Tomorrow I’m going to be talking to Prime Minister Singh about how we can  work together to develop and deploy new and renewable energy sources – in particular to reach some of India’s poorest communities.

If we get this right, it will be a triple win.

Clean energy. Electricity brought to poorest people. New jobs and wealth.

And it’s precisely the sort of co-operation we need as we move forward in our relationship.

“Society

By forging business links together, by tackling threats to our security together and by taking on the challenge of climate change together …

…we can raise our relationship to new heights.

But if that relationship is made only by diplomats, politicians and entrepreneurs, it will not last.

A relationship with genuine meaning will be one that brings together people from every line of work and every walk of life.

Teachers. Doctors. Nurses.  People from rural areas and city dwellers. Young and old. Men and women. Rich and poor.

We’re living in an age when a deeper friendship between our countrymen and women is possible.

The internet has torn down the barriers that kept people apart.

And there is the common currency of culture we enjoy the world over.

To my mind globalisation should be about more than the trade of goods and services – it must be about the trading of experiences and stories between friends on opposite sides of the world…

…and our countries can set the example.

That’s why today we are launching a new network to bring together the next generation of British and Indian leaders.

There will be politicians, yes, but entrepreneurs, scientists, media producers too – dynamic young people from both our countries…

…brought together to find solutions to the challenges we face.

I hope that by the time of the next UK-India summit they will be coming back to us buzzing with ideas and inspiration which both Government and the private sector can act on.

But above all, I hope this builds the human relationships that will sustain the relationship between our countries.

“Conclusion

Everything I have spoken about today - an enhanced relationship and a shared determination to take on the challenges that confront us …

…these are not borne from sentiment.

I’m a practical politician.

I believe when the problems are serious – we should tackle them.

When the answer is obvious – we should do it.

This is why I’m here.

The problems are serious – economic crisis, global insecurity, climate change.

And the answer is obvious – India and Britain coming together.

Indira Gandhi once said her Grandfather told her:

“There are two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who take the credit. Be in the first group; there’s much less competition.”

The truth is we can’t leave our prosperity, our security and the future of our planet to chance.

We must be the ones to act – and we must act together.

Together Britain and India can do the work that’s so needed.

Together our partnership can benefit the world.

So together, let’s build a new relationship to meet the scale of our ambitions." 

 *British Prime Minister David Cameron's speech at the Infosys in India, July 28, 2010