Press Briefings
Briefing points by Dir(XP) on President’s ongoing visit to UK
28/10/2009
A) Natural History Museum
During the visit to Natural History Museum, the President acquainted herself with efforts underway for promoting a better understanding of biodiversity of the world and research being undertaken for prevention of various diseases. She visited the Climate Change Wall and butterfly collection at Cocoon. The President also viewed documentary ‘Wildscapes’.
B) Handing over of Mahatma Gandhi Memorabilia to the President:
At a public function at India House, President accepted Memorabilia of Mahatma Gandhi presented by Sir Gulam Noon and Professor Nat Puri.
C) Call on the President by the Indian Business Delegation
A FICCI-CII Indian business delegation, which is in London for the India-UK business event during the President’s visit, called on the President at Hotel Bentley. It comprised prominent Indian business leaders in the field of IT, manufacturing etc. who have significant business interests in the UK. They were very positive and optimistic about the nature of India-UK business exchanges. Potential for more UK investment in infrastructure and education in India was highlighted. The President encouraged them to continue to work for the promotion of bilateral trade and investment relations.
D) The Commonwealth Secretary General Sh. Kamlesh Sharma called on the President at Bentley Hotel.
E) Meeting with Prime Minister Gordon Brown
The President met Prime Minister Gordon Brown at No. 10 Downing Street. The meeting lasted more than 30 minutes. The focus of the meeting was on the strong bilateral economic cooperation.
Prime Minister Brown said that business ties between the two countries were good. A large number of Indian companies were listed on the London Stock Exchange. He expressed UK’s keen interest in further promoting India-UK cooperation in the field of education in the context of the growing strategic partnership between the two countries. The discussion between two leaders in this regard also covered institutions of higher education in India, including IIT and a Central University. PM Brown said that UK was again becoming a large destination for Indian students.
The President and Prime Minister Brown exchanged views on various issues pertaining to Millennium Development Goals in the social sector. Prime Minister Brown said that UK was very keen to partner India in socio-economic sector. They discussed various aspects of women empowerment and dwelt on the role of women in contributing to democracy and development.
The President spoke of the need for greater facilitation of participation of Indian IT professionals in UK, which PM Brown assured to look into. PM Brown said that India-UK cooperation in IT was a very important area of the growing bilateral strategic partnership.
Towards the end of the meeting, the sons of Prime Minister Brown, John (6 years) and Fraser (4 years), came in the meeting room and introduced themselves to the President, who enjoyed her conversation with them.
F) Meeting with HRH Prince of Wales at Clarence House
The President visited Clarence House, the residence of HRH Prince of Wales. She met the members of the British Asian Trust who briefed her on the activities of the organisation, of which the Prince is the President, in the social sector in India. Among the areas in which the Trust engaged, mention was made of capacity building, dry land farming, empowerment and self held for women, micro finance etc. The President was informed of the work of the women entrepreneurship development centre in Satara. It was termed as a model which could be replicated elsewhere in India.
G) Banquet hosted by Lord Mayor of London at Guildhall
The Lord Mayor of London hosted a gala Banquet in honour of the President at the historic Guildhall of London in the City, which is regarded as the financial capital of the world. The banquet was attended by over 700 prominent invitees from all walks of life, including distinguished representatives of the Indian diaspora.
London
October 28, 2009