Despite the current economic slowdown, Tata Motors, the country’s largest auto maker, has been able to perform well mainly because 
of its investment in the Land Rover project in the UK popularly known as JLR. Similarly, the TVS Logistics’ investment into the UK has also started paying rich dividend, clearly indicating that there is greater scope now than ever before for widening trade relationship between India and the UK.
It is in this background that the recent appointment of Mr. Bharat Joshi, the first Indian as British Deputy High Commissioner in South India, assumes special significance.
Addressing the first press conference arranged for him in Chennai, Mr. Bharat pointed out that for the UK companies the Indian auto sector is always the top priority area for investment. In Chennai too, there are success stories of companies like GKN and Stadco, and more UK firms are now keen to enter India to tap its fastest growing automotive market. The bilateral trade is also expected to double by 2015.
The following are the major highlights of the ever-widening Indo-British co-operation in different areas:
* Indo-British bilateral trade in 2012 was £15.4 billion (goods and services). The UK is on course to double trade by 2015. (UK exports to India up by 25 per cent and Indian exports to the UK up by 10 per cent).
* The UK is the third largest investor in India after Mauritius and Singapore and the largest European investor in India – $17.6 billion worth of investments between 2000 and 2013, or nine per cent of all FDI inflow into India.
* India is the fifth largest investor in the UK. More Indian investment comes to the UK than to the rest of the EU combined. There are over 900 Indian companies in the UK, and Tata is the largest manufacturing employer there with a 45,000-strong workforce.
* Jointly funded research has grown to £150 million now from £1 million four years ago. It covers energy security, climate change and healthcare. Research partnership with India is now the fastest growing one for the UK.
* The UK is the third largest defence exporter to India since 2010. Apart from long-standing joint exercises, training and expert exchanges, the relationship now covers research on energetic materials as well as chemical and biological defence.
* The UK now has the largest diplomatic footprint in India. Apart from the High Commission in New Delhi, there are Deputy High Commissions in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Hyderabad and Bangalore and a network of trade offices.
* The UK development programme in India is transforming itself from being old-fashioned cash transfer to a modern skills sharing and technology transfer.
* Since 2010, some 40 UK Ministers have visited India for key bilateral engagements by leading sector-specific delegations not only covering Delhi but also key cities across India.
* British Business Groups (BBGs) are networking groups comprising both UK and Indian firms with a strong business interest in the UK and with active chapters in New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore.
* The UK-India Business Council (UKIBC), UK-India CEO Forum, British-India Infrastructure Group (BIIG), Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) and the UK-India Education Research Initiative (UKIERI) are some of the joint mechanisms working toward a stronger, wider and deeper partnership.
* The UK supports India’s bid for a permanent seat in the UNSC.