Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the vital role of the Indian diaspora in shaping Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) during a keynote speech at the India Global Forum’s Diwali celebration in London. He highlighted that the contributions of the Indian community have been instrumental since the NHS’s inception in 1948 and continue to influence its future.
Streeting expressed optimism about the challenges facing the NHS, likening them to the darkness that Diwali celebrates overcoming with light. He pointed to India’s advancements in primary healthcare and innovation as valuable lessons for the UK, particularly in light of current struggles to secure GP appointments. He cited the successful India-UK vaccine partnership during the COVID-19 pandemic as a model for collaboration that could address ongoing healthcare challenges.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall reaffirmed the Labour government’s commitment to establishing a Free Trade Agreement and Bilateral Investment Treaty with India, which would enhance an already significant trading relationship valued at over £39 billion annually and supporting over 700,000 jobs.
The event also featured discussions with entrepreneurs and industry leaders on topics such as technology, pharmaceuticals, and green energy, reinforcing the strategic partnership between the UK and India that extends beyond trade to encompass economic and global security. IGF Founder Manoj Ladwa noted that this Diwali marks a renewed commitment to strengthening ties, while Sujit Ghosh, Deputy High Commissioner of India to the UK, highlighted India’s position as a major foreign investor in Britain, reflecting deepening bilateral relations.
