Latest news with #Doraiswami
India Gazette
5 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
India's High Commissioner to UK highlights efforts to improve logistics infrastructure, create favorable business environment
London [UK], July 9 (ANI): India's High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, emphasised the country's growing focus on enhancing its external environment to support development objectives. Speaking at the India Maritime Investment Meet in London, Doraiswami highlighted India's efforts to improve its logistics infrastructure and create a favorable business environment. 'We are going to be all in for creating new infrastructure that makes the efficient movement of goods from ports and within the country a priority.' Doraiswami highlighted the government's efforts to improve the ease of doing business in India. He stated, 'In the last eight years, the government has stepped up its efforts considerably to improve the ease of doing business, in particular through focus on improved logistics.' Further, he emphasised that improving logistics in India requires more than just investment. He noted, 'Logistics cannot be improved merely by the addition of capital in India; it also requires a policy framework in which the state governments and municipalities are brought on board to facilitate through simplified rules for doing business.' The High Commissioner also underscored India's recognition of the importance of the external environment for its development objectives. He said, 'India has historically recognised the importance of the external environment for its development objectives. But in the last decade or so, we have actually started translating that into effective measures to support the externalisation of development opportunities for India, both in the Foreign Policy domain and the Foreign Economic Policy domain.' Notably, the UK and India finalised a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on May 6, 2025, after three years of negotiations. The recently finalised FTA agreement between India and the United Kingdom (UK) will not only boost Indian exports and increase the mobility of Indian workers in the UK but also support India's economy through higher remittances and domestic spending, noted a report by S&P Global Market Intelligence. In 2024, Indian workers abroad sent home around USD 130 billion, making up 3.3 per cent of the country's GDP. The FTA also promises to double trade in goods and services between India and the UK by 2030, up from USD 56.7 billion in 2024. Indian exports, especially textiles and apparel--which face challenges in the US market--are expected to benefit from improved access to the UK market. (ANI)
India Gazette
06-07-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
High Commission of India in UK welcomes Women's Cricket Team
ANI 06 Jul 2025, 09:01 GMT+10 London [UK], July 6 (ANI): The High Commission of India in London welcomed the Indian Women's Cricket Team with pride and honour at India House. Hosted by High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami, the event on July 5 brought together members of the Indian diaspora, diplomats, media professionals, and cricket fans from across the UK to celebrate the achievements and growing legacy of women's cricket in India. High Commissioner Doraiswami, in his address, highlighted how the team has become a symbol of rising India fearless, focused, and full of potential. He praised the players for not just their performance on the field but also for being role models for millions of young girls across the world. The captain (Harmanpreet Kaur) and vice-captain (Smriti Mandhana) of the Indian team, along with several key players, took the stage and spoke from the heart. They shared their journey, challenges, and the pride they feel representing India globally. Their message was one of unity, ambition, and the unstoppable rise of women in sport. The players were greeted with applause, cheers, and even a few emotional moments as the audience showed their support and admiration. (ANI)
India Gazette
21-06-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
India's High Commissioner leads Yoga Day celebrations in London
London [UK], June 21 (ANI): India's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Vikram Doraiswami, led the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations at The Strand in London on Saturday, drawing vibrant participation from the Indian diaspora, yoga enthusiasts, and friends of India. The event, organised by the High Commission of India, was themed 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health', reflecting this year's global message of unity, wellbeing, and sustainability. Speaking at the event, Doraiswami highlighted the significance of observing Yoga Day on the summer solstice. 'There is a reason why the historic civilisations have looked at the summer solstice as a very special day and it is in that context, based on the idea that yoga is connected with the most scientific way of, not just exercise, but healing the human body, that the International Day of Yoga falls on the summer solstice,' he said. Doraiswami also shared a message from King Charles III on the occasion. 'The theme of this year, Yoga for One Earth One Health, reminds us how vitally important it is that the world comes together to secure a happy and a healthy future for present and future generations... Year on year, yoga is increasing in popularity across the UK with millions in our country reaping its benefits... I would like to send my best wishes to all those taking part in the celebrations to mark the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Yoga, thereby promoting the global principles of unity, compassion, and wellbeing,' the message read. The celebration underscored the growing global embrace of yoga as a means to physical and mental well-being, with the UK witnessing increased interest in the practice across diverse communities. Echoing the same spirit, the Consulate General of India (CGI) in New York, in association with the Town of Greenburgh and the Indian Cultural Association of North America (ICANA), celebrated International Day of Yoga 2025 in Westchester with vibrant participation. In a post on X, the CGI in New York said the event showcased yoga's universal appeal and its message of harmony and well-being. It added that the celebration was organised in collaboration with the Town of Greenburgh and ICANA to mark International Day of Yoga 2025. Building on the momentum of the Westchester event, the Consulate also hosted a vibrant yoga session at Times Square in collaboration with @TimesSquareNYC, bringing the spirit of International Yoga Day to one of the world's most iconic locations. Sharing glimpses of the event on X, the Consulate General of India in New York wrote, 'CGI New York, in collaboration with @TimesSquareNYC, hosted a vibrant Yoga Session at the iconic Crossroads of the World - Times Square! Here are a few more glimpses from this energizing celebration of wellness and unity. #YogaforOneEarthOneHealth.' Extending the celebrations beyond New York, similar events were held in Washington, DC, where the Indian Embassy organised a vibrant Yoga session at the iconic Lincoln Memorial on Thursday (local time), ahead of International Day of Yoga on June 21. The event saw enthusiastic participation from a large number of people, including members of the Indian diaspora and local residents, showcasing the growing global embrace of yoga. (ANI)
India Gazette
04-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Great sympathy and understanding in UK for what India has gone through due to cross-border terrorism: Indian envoy Doraiswami
London [UK], June 4 (ANI): India's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Vikram Doraiswami, has said that there is great sympathy and understanding in the UK for what India has suffered due to cross-border terrorism that has emanated from Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled territory. In an interview with ANI, Doraiswami emphasised that India's ties with the UK have gained traction. The UK's approach to challenges that have persisted in South Asia has been much more understanding of India's concerns and more willing to respect that these problems need to be solved by India and Pakistan. Responding to questions about the all-party Indian delegation's meetings in the UK, Doraiswami said, 'I don't want to put words into either our parliamentarians' mouths or those of our British friends, but I think there was a great deal of receptivity to the message. There is great sympathy and understanding in the UK for what India has gone through in terms of our long and painful journey with cross-border terrorism that has emanated from Pakistan-controlled territory and the state of Pakistan. There is a great sense of understanding of the anger and hurt in India that this scourge just doesn't go away.' 'That said, of course, the UK has its own position. It's a sovereign government. It will take its own decisions, but in the last decade and more, we see a steady evolution as our relationship with the UK has gained weight, traction, and strategic dimensions. The UK's approach to challenges that have long persisted in South Asia has been much more understanding of our concerns, much more willing to respect the fact that these are problems that have to be solved by India and Pakistan and indeed all other problems in the region by the region. And that India's rise is, in broader terms, the greatest benefit of the Indo-Pacific region and the world as a whole. So, that sense comes through to all our parliamentarians,' he added. Doraiswami emphasised that the all-party delegation's visit was aimed at conveying the sentiments of Indian citizens, and India welcomed the international community's understanding of the country's need to ensure national security. When asked about the Indian delegation's expectations from the UK, he said, 'I shouldn't, we should never set out expectations of a friend. We have come here as far as I can understand from our parliamentary leaders, the people of India as representatives, that we are not here to seek favour from anybody. We are here to explain our position. We are here to point out what the people of India feel, and of course. We welcome the fact that our partners understand what we have to do, but we will do what we need to do to secure the people of India, any government of India, the current government in particular, are committed and will always remain committed to do whatever is necessary to secure our people, and that message has landed.' The all-party delegation, led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, was in the UK to garner widespread support for India's fight against terrorism and to expose Pakistan's role in fostering terrorism. The delegation led by Ravi Shankar Prasad includes BJP MPs Daggubati Purandeswari and Samik Bhattacharya, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, Congress MPs Ghulam Ali Khatana and Amar Singh, former Union Minister MJ Akbar, and former Ambassador Pankaj Saran. During the visit, they met with the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)-India. They addressed the media there, during which the delegation delivered a strong message on the global threat of terrorism, highlighting Pakistan's misuse of international funds to support terrorism and arms proliferation. The delegation also received widespread support from British parliamentarians, think tanks, and the Indian diaspora for India's democratic unity and firm stance against terrorism. They were welcomed by APPG India President Sandy Verma, and the meeting was co-chaired by UK MPs Lord Karan Bilimoria and Jeevun Sandher. Many current and former MPs, including Lord Ed Vaizey, Bob Blackman, Barry Gardiner, Gurinder Singh Josan, Gagan Mohindra, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Kanishka Narayan, Shailesh Vara, Baggy Shanker, Mark Pritchard and others also joined the discussion. Ravi Shankar Prasad stated that during their time in the UK, the delegation met with key UK figures, including the Speaker of the House of Commons and Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel, emphasising the need for international accountability on terrorism financing amidst appreciation for India's democratic approach. Prasad highlighted the global concern over terrorism as a 'cancer' and called for scrutiny of Pakistan's use of international funds, noting the novelty of the all-party delegation initiative. 'This has been really good. Our visit to England concludes today. We held a press conference at the India House here; we met the Speaker of the House of Commons this morning. We met the Chairman of the Conservative Party yesterday; we also met Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel. We also met Indian Friends in the Labour Party... We also interacted with Think Tanks. All of them are concerned that terrorism is a cancer... We also said that they (Pakistan) get loans from the IMF and World Bank and they get other funding too. So, is the funding being used for terrorism and weapon purchases or for the poor? This should be asked of them... Everyone said one more thing: that the all-party Parliamentary delegation visit is a new initiative,' Prasad said. The delegation met UK Minister for Citizenship and Migration and Minister for Equalities Seema Malhotra at the UK Parliament. The delegation also held a meeting with the UK's Shadow Foreign Secretary, Priti Patel, and her team on Sunday to share India's firm resolve to counter cross-border terrorism. In a post on X, the Indian High Commission in the UK stated, 'The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation met with Shadow Foreign Secretary @pritipatel and her team to share India's firm resolve in combating cross-border terrorism. They also highlighted how #OperationSindoor exemplifies the new normal set by India in this ongoing effort.' An all-party delegation, led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, visited London as part of India's global outreach program to convey the country's firm stance against terrorism. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
On UK TV, Indian Diplomat Shows 1 Photo To Expose Pakistan Army's Real Terrorist Boss
India's ambassador to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, exposed Pakistan amid the ongoing Operation Sindoor. Speaking with Sky News on May 10, Doraiswami said that the brother of a prominent Pakistani terrorist led funeral prayers for those killed in Indian strikes on May 7. He showed a picture of Hafiz Abdur Rauf standing in front of Pakistani soldiers at a funeral. Doraiswami said Rauf was Masood Azhar's brother, the Jaish-e-Mohammed chief. Watch this video to know more.
