HIGH COMMISSION OF INDIA, LONDON
PRESS RELEASE OCTOBER 4, 2000
TORIES TO SET UP FRIENDS
OF INDIA GROUP
Conservative Party Leader Mr. William Hague yesterday announced that his
party would soon set up a Friends of India Group adding that he will be a
“very active member” of the Group. The statement was made at a reception
hosted by H.E. Mr. Nareshwar Dayal, High Commissioner of India on October 3 at
Bournemouth, where the Conservative Party is holding its Annual Conference.
The event was attended by a large number of Tory members comprising inter
alia sitting MPs from both houses, prospective candidates for the forthcoming
general elections, representatives from the Tory Central office including key
personal aides of Mr. Hague, regional and local
leaders and prominent members of the Indian community in UK.
Mr. Hague said that he had deep respect for the world’s largest
democracy. Congratulating India for its excellent economic performance in recent
years, Mr. Hague added that the Indian community in UK was an asset to the
country and expressed happiness that they were taking an increasingly active
part in politics. He recalled that
the first two Asian MEPs were Conservative and that several more would be
contesting the next general elections. Mr. Hague said that he was looking
forward to an official visit to India and obtain a first-hand perspective of the
dynamism of the Indian economy.
Earlier, welcoming Mr. Hague to the reception, the High Commissioner
spoke of the strides made by the Indian economy in recent years. He said that economic ties between India and UK were
expanding rapidly and a large number of joint ventures were being set up.
Referring to India’s emergence as a world leader in Information
Technology, he said that over 75 Indian IT companies had already established a
presence in UK. He hoped that it
would be possible for Mr. Hague and other senior party leaders
to find time to visit India on an early occasion.