Labour leader praises British Indians’ contributions and for “running our country” at India Global Forum

By A Staff Reporter

LONDON June 27: Britain’s Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer on Monday made a strong pitch for a renewed relationship with India as he declared that a “changed Labour Party” led government under his leadership would reject any sense of entitlement of history to deepen ties with modern India.

In an apparent reference to the party’s previous leadership which was seen as less India friendly among Indian diaspora quarters on controversial issues such as Kashmir, Starmer used a keynote address at the India Global Forum (IGF) UK-India Week in London to attempt a reset with British Indians ahead of a general election expected next year.

He also reiterated Labour’s commitment to a free trade agreement (FTA) with India and while admitting that he is eyeing the top job at 10 Downing Street, the Opposition leader acknowledged Rishi Sunak’s historical achievement as the first British Indian Prime Minister of the country.

He praised British Indians for the contributions they make to the UK which, he said, include “running our country”.

In wooing the Indian community, Keir Stammer said that he is able to see huge success in all spheres within the Indian community and therefore his party is increasing Indian representation by all levels in his party.

He said that he is excited to see some of the talents within those members within who are serving the community and he has great regards to the Indian community for the contribution they make towards Britain and “let me be honest in running our country”.

“The prime minister is part of this and I will be on Wednesdasy going all gloves out but I have always acknowledeged how important it is to have its first Indian prime minister. But dont get me wrong I am after to take his job”, he said to loud round of applause.

Addressing an audience that included the Indian and British high commissioners and British Indian industry leaders, Starmer said of India: “I see a modern nation, a confident nation, a nation that knows that whilst there are profound changes in the world the opportunity is there for this to bean Indian century — with India shining as the world’s biggest democracy — a huge contributor to global growth and prosperity.”

“The challenge for Britain is to cast aside the entitlement of history and deepen our relationship with the real India, the modern India, the future India. We know that Indian food is the greatest in the world”, he said. “But this can’t be the basis of a serious and deep diplomatic relationship in the modern world. That is what my Labour government will seek with India — a relationship based on our shared values of democracy and aspiration that will see an FTA but also a new strategic partnership for global security, climate security and economic security.”

PM Modi’s recent trip to the US has refocused attention in Britain on India. “There are opportunities here as well — new technologies, new industries, new investments, where our interests clearly align,” Starmer said, citing AI, the clean energy boom, anddefence cooperation.