TheIndia-United Kingdom relationshi

is so old, so multi-faceted and so rich in its cultural, economic and people-to-people dimensions that it would appear that politicians and governments almost don't matter. Actually, it is upon governments in both countries, and upon us MPs - my British and Indian colleagues and me, in my capacity as co-chair of the India-UK Parliamentary Forum - to build on the partnerships that civil society has already constructed, and to give the India-UK relationship even more of a strategic edge. Business links between Indian and UK companies are strong. Where British technology once helped build infrastructure in modern India, today Indian companies and investors are job creators in the UK. They are keeping alive traditions of British manufacture. They are also bringing the energy of the Indian technology and services sector to London and other business cities. The

in the UK is renowned and appreciated for its scholastic and business achievements. It has provided 21

century Britain political and thought leadership. In the words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian community in the UK is a human bridge between our societies. Today, both India and the UK find themselves at inflection points. India has embarked on an ambitious programme of modernisation. In the past three-and-a-half years, under the leadership of the BJP government, the economy has been opened up for investment in a manner that is unprecedented in our history. Whether it is in funding bottom-of-the-pyramid

in rural areas or

in high-technology areas, an exciting future is being written. It is being complemented by investments in the social sector and in human development - in sanitation, in public health and health insurance, and in

and skill building. On its part, the UK is negotiating Brexit and identifying new economic and trade as well as strategic pathways for the coming years. Inevitably, both countries will search for new global partnerships. And the best partners they will find will be each other. Loud, argumentative and English-speaking democracies always have a way of getting along! The prospect of greater commerce and of building a shared prosperity for the people of the UK and of India is an ideal we share. We also cherish common values. These will serve us in the battle against radicalism and terrorism - as well as in the promotion of democracy, pluralism and transparency in the international system. All of this requires India and the UK to collaborate and work together on multiple platforms - bilateral and multilateral. Strengthening the United Nations and international institutions and renewing the Commonwealth must be part of this endeavour. Equally, it is important for business, thought and political leaders from both countries to invest in and become champions of the relationship - for the benefit of India and the UK and for the benefit of our entire planet. Yet, ordinary citizens and their concerns, hopes and aspirations must be central to our vision. In the end it is the people of our two countries who provide a foundation for the India-UK partnership. We cannot discount the mutual goodwill and affection, the family associations that link the two countries, the vibrant Indian community in the UK, the love for each other's cultural products - whether chicken tikka masala or the English Premier League, yoga or the Beatles, or of course cricket, an Indian sport accidentally invented in Britain! Without that “human bridge” and that steady stream of students, business executives and skilled workers who contribute to the British economy and to India's global identity, our relationship would not be same. This is the bridge that allows our governments to walk briskly. This is the bridge our governments must not forget to nurture.