Modi visit will mark a new era in a great collaboration: India Inc. Interview

As the British High Commission's director for UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) in India, St. John Gould is uniquely positioned to take the India-UK relationship to the next level and tap into the opportunities offered by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government's numerous initiatives.In the lead up to Modi's first visit to the UK as PM in November, India Inc. explores his views on what more could be in store for this so-called special relationship.How special really is the India-UK relationship We think it is special, but the proof in strong bilateral relationships is not what you state, but what you do about it.A stronger, wider, deeper partnership with India is of great importance for our Government. In her speech setting out the Government's priorities at the start of the new parliamentary term, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II singled out an 'enhanced partnership' with India as a foreign policy priority for the current British Government, and our Prime Minister David Cameron has said 'UK is India's partner of choice'.The UK has its largest diplomatic network in India, with more offices than any other country. The British Council also has its largest overseas operation in India, promoting cultural and educational ties between our peoples.Business ties are thriving - £19 billion in 2014. And these ties cross a range of sectors, including an emerging area of engagement by UK companies and experts in supporting PMModi's exciting plans for developing India's cities.The UK is home to 1.5 million members of the Indian diaspora. . We are, in PM Modi's words an 'unbeatable combination' in forging successful partnerships that can bring immense benefits to both countries.

How do you see UKTI's role further enhancing the partnership UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the Government Department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy including India, and Indian companies to invest and locate in the UK. Our trade and investments relationship with India is among the most robust in the world. We are India's largest G20 investor: aggregating all investments over the last 15 years (2000-Jan 2015), accounting for over 9% of all investment into India this century. British companies are creating one in every 20 jobs in India's organised private sector.Likewise, India invests more in the UK than it does in the rest of the European Union combined. In 2014-15 India emerged as Britain's third biggest job creator, creating 7,730 new jobs. 2014-15 saw a 65% growth in FDI to the UK from India. India helped create 9,350 jobs in UK in 2014 - behind only the US and Germany.The UK-India commercial partnership is supported by our teams spread across the length and breadth of India covering a range of key sectors. UKTI provides businesses and investors with tailored advice and practical support, including government lobbying, market information, identifying and introducing potential partners, key market players or customers to establish business partnerships. We also work with and through our “business to business” partner agency, the UK-India Business Council (UKIBC). Moving forward, our plan is to take a more campaigning approach, working with business and the Indian government to address opportunities and blockages, and working in new areas of business such as Smart Cities.UKTI is at the forefront of the launch of 'GREAT for Collaboration', a new campaign to showcase India-UK business collaboration. The campaign inspires new partnerships and encourages greater awareness of the scale of the UK's commitment to India. The overall objective is to increase business between the two countries by showcasing real-life examples of how it is done well.What impact do you see from the upcoming Modi visit to the UK Both the UK and Indian Governments are excited that PM Modi will make his first visit to the UK as Prime Minister this year. He will get the warmest of welcomes from the British people and government, including the 1.5 million strong Indian diaspora. We want Mr Modi's visit to mark the beginning of a new era in our relationship, working hand-in-hand on contemporary issues like building smart cities and addressing clean energy needs; tackling global challenges like climate change and terrorism; and increasing the flow of investment, knowledge and people-to-people links between the two countries.Do you think Britain is a key Make in India partner and how can it help under Smart Cities The UK supports PM Modi's 'Make in India' campaign. UK businesses do too - from diggers to shoes to drive-shafts to medicine - UK businesses are making in India in greater numbers than those from most other partners.British Company Clarke Energy is into energy sector in Pune whereas UK Company Secure Doors is manufacturing fire resistant doors which are used in the construction sector including providing doors for nuclear plants. CDE India is developing plants which recycle waste building material. Johnson Mathey makes catalytic convertors for cars and motorbikes from their plant near Delhi.To encourage others to join we are publicising these successes of UK companies doing so in order to attract others, through our 'GREAT for Collaboration' campaign. We also provide technical assistance and advice to companies, prioritising the manufacturing area. We support business delegations from UK manufacturing companies and we work with India to address any remaining disincentives for companies to operate here. As India embarks on its ambition to build 100 smart cities, the UK is working on this too, and hopes that deepens. We've set out both the opportunities in India and how UK companies can help in a report we commissioned from Ernst &Young entitled 'India's Smart Cities Programme -The UK offer to build together'. The report identifies several areas where the UK's expertise would be useful to India particularly in this sector. The UK and its companies can help India across the range of its four-pillar Smart City framework: The UK has expertise in infrastructure - from smart transport and mobility to water and waste management - in digital - particularly in fin tech and e-commerce - and in design, professional services, healthcare and e-governance. We are helping UK companies understand the Indian market in this area.What is your message for British companies considering expanding into India We would encourage British companies to consider the Indian market, and if you do, we are here to help you.India is a huge market, with high rates of growth, and British companies are well-regarded here. It is a good time to consider India, with the Modi Government committed to reform and liberalisation of the market.British companies have a long and strong presence in India. They prosper when they persist, work with us, and identify good local partners. Collaborations that have innovation at the heart do particularly well.British companies also prosper here when they demonstrate that they understand Indian needs and have strengths to offer, and engage personally with their interlocutors. They need to recognise that this is a huge country, so an understanding of how different areas work is valuable. We can help with that. UKTI teams are based in all the major cities in India - Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad and Pune.Our teams are a mix of UK officials and Indian sector specialists covering all areas, i.e.: mass transport, financial services, infrastructure, life sciences, creative industries, energy, business and consumer services, education and skills, defence and security, healthcare, advanced engineering, aerospace, agri-tech, chemicals, automotive, smart cities and ICT. The UK's core strengths of innovation and creativity and India's unrivalled potential, talented workforce and ambitions for growth make the UK and India natural collaborative partners.