Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Sept 11: British Trade Minister, Lord Francis Maude,currently on a visit to India, called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh at his office here and held a meeting at which the two Ministers discussed wide range of issues of mutual interest between United Kingdom and India as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forthcoming visit to England later this year.
Dr. Jitendra Singh told the visiting Minister that United Kingdom, more than any other European and Western country, shared an exclusive relationship with India which was based on certain common legacies and common history. While many of the good practices of British Raj are still followed in India, he said, several British scholars, young administrators and medicos are now regularly visiting India to learn from our experience.
While DoPT is engaged in regular exchange programmes and mid-career training programmes in collaboration with United Kingdom, Dr Jitendra Singh said, he is glad to note that the Department of Space, which is also under him, recently hosted a group of young scientists from Britain and other European countries for an internship course at its Satellite Station in Bengaluru. In addition, he said, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has also during recent times launched a number of UK made satellites from Sriharikota. Similarly, the Department of Atomic Energy is also collaborating with its counterpart agencies in UK and other countries, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s positive approach to reach out to other nations of the world which, he said, served as an inspiration and stimulus for all of us in the Government to keep developing and innovating new areas of mutual cooperation. Of late, India has emerged as a potential market for profitable trade and investment by other countries as UK too can look forward to India as a major trade partner with stakes in commerce and finance, he added.
Lord Francis Maude who has a long experience in UK politics and is also a former Chairman of the Conservative Party, appreciated Dr. Jitendra Singh’s positive and diligent approach and said his meeting with the Minister today will certainly open new vistas for furthering relations between the two countries.
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