Man of the Hour - India Inc Interview with Sir James Bevan

As the British High Commissioner to India, Sir James Bevan has been at the epicentre of the India-UK enhanced relationship drive over 2013. We catch up with India Inc's Man of the Hour to get an insider's perspective on this 'stronger, wider, deeper' bond between the two countries. How would you describe the India-UK 'enhanced relationship' this year Since May 2010, we have been single-minded in delivering British Prime Minister David Cameron's vision of a “stronger, wider, deeper” partnership between the UK and India. The economic backdrop has not been simple for either of us, but we have always been clear that our commitment to the UK-India partnership is for the long-term, to be an 'all-weather friend'. It is making a real difference. The partnership is stronger. We have taken our cooperation into new areas, such as cyber security, and fostered much closer personal relationships between leading political, business and academic figures in our two nations. The visitors' book at the High Commissioner's residence in Delhi is fuller than ever. The partnership is wider. We have extended our diplomatic footprint into new cities in the rapidly growing regions of India. The UK now has the broadest diplomatic presence of all countries in India. And the partnership is deeper. We are confident that our ambitious target of doubling trade by 2015 is still in sight, investment in each others' economies is on a sharp rise, our science and research partnerships have grown a hundredfold in the past three years, and more than one million people are travelling between the UK and India every year. This success is motivating us to take this to the next level, even stronger, even wider, even deeper. What are some of the key milestones, starting with David Cameron's visit in February Even the most sceptical of Brits and the most argumentative of Indians told me that David Cameron's visit in February hit the spot. His personal leadership in building this special partnership ran through every event and every conversation. And his message that the UK is open for business, study and tourism left a strong positive impression. Since then, we have not looked back. Within a month of the visit, Foreign Office minister Hugo Swire was back in India to witness the multi-billion dollar arrangement between British Gas and the state of Gujarat for long-term supply of liquified natural gas. UK ministers Oliver Letwin and Greg Barker have enthusiastically led work with Indian counterparts on the Bangalore-Mumbai Economic Corridor. What was once a twinkle in the eye now has real potential to become a flagship for the UK-India partnership in the long-term. And in the UK, the latest billionpound Tata investment in new design and production at Jaguar Land Rover underlines what can be achieved when world-class British innovation is combined with Indian ambition and leadership. Has the flip-flop surrounding the visa bond issue set things back I am glad you asked this. There has been a lot of misunderstanding about the visa bond proposal. It is important to see this in context. First, the UK is most definitely open for all genuine business people, tourists and students. The visa figures show this. In 2012, nine out of 10 visa applicants in India were successful. Second, the UK is committed to making its visa service the best in the world. Our largest visa operation is in India -we process some 400,000 applications every year, and have more visa application centres than any other country. We are bringing in service improvements all the time. The latest is our 'Same Day Visa'. The UK is the only country to offer this. On the bond proposal itself, nothing has been finalised -there is no bond to pay. We have listened closely to the views of the Indian government and business associations and will take these into account when coming to a final decision. Which are some of the crucial sectors in the trade/business links There is a natural fit between the UK and Indian economies. India has identified what it needs to realise its economic ambitions. The UK is uniquely placed to help meet many of these needs with world-class technology and know-how. There are a few examples in the area of infrastructure, where India intends to spend billions in the coming years. UK companies offer first rate skills in project management, feasibility studies and engineering. On energy, where India aims to quadruple electricity capacity to 800 GW by 2032 and to reduce its dependence on fossil fuel import and to promote clean coal technology, UK majors such as BP and British Gas are already involved in two of the largest energy partnerships with Indian companies. And on healthcare, where India aims to expand medical and nurse training significantly by setting up teaching institutions in all 640 districts, the UK has a world-class pharmaceutical industry and strengths in primary healthcare provision, healthcare education and clinical data management. Of course, this is all in addition to world renowned British excellence in financial services, high end technical design, higher education and English language training. How do you see the relationship panning out over the next few years, given the Indian elections in 2014 As I mentioned earlier, the UK is committed to a stronger, wider, deeper partnership with India over the long-term. The foundations of the UK-India relationship lie not just between our two governments, but also in the ties between British and Indian businesses, British and Indian universities and the two peoples. Seen in this context, I do not anticipate any radical change in our bilateral partnership as a result of the 2014 elections. But this does not mean I expect 'business as usual'. On the contrary, elections always bring some form of change. My role as the British High Commissioner and of my staff is to ensure that the UK is well placed after the elections to seize the new opportunities that will undoubtedly come. We are all looking forward to this exciting challenge. On a personal front, can you tell us about some of the highlights of your tenure as High Commissioner since 2011 The sheer scale of India and the scope of the UK-India relationship makes it difficult to pick out specific highlights. But if I were to pick out one thing, it is that every day brings surprises and opportunities. I have now visited all 28 union states. Each one has left its impression on me. But wherever I go, I see India's famous unity in diversity in action and am left in no doubt about India's enthusiasm for true partnership with the UK. I always return to Delhi inspired by the boundless sense of optimism, aspiration and dynamism that exists here. Long may that continue.