Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Envoy Doraiswami discusses key UK-India issues at Conservative Friends of India event

Besides reinstating e-visas, ways for improving the two nations’ bilateral relations, especially in the fields of geo-political and climate change, were taken up.

Envoy Doraiswami discusses key UK-India issues at Conservative Friends of India event

The Conservative Friends of India (CF India) on Thursday (24) hosted an exclusive roundtable session for the UK's Conservative MPs with the Indian high commissioner to London, His Excellency Vikram Doraiswami.

Over 25 parliamentarians, including former ministers Dr Liam Fox, Ranil Jayawardena, Vicky Ford, Greg Clarke and regular supporters such as Bob Blackman and Dean Russel, attended the event.


During the meeting, the MPs called for e-visas to be reinstated, an issue they have been lobbying CF India to address since last year.

CF India roundtable conference Participants, including Indian high commissioner to UK HE Vikram Doraiswami (C) and British parliamentarians at a roundtable conference hosted by Conservative Friends of India on November 24, 2022.(Picture: Conservative Friends of India)

This aim is to reduce delays in visa-processing times and erase difficulties in securing visa appointments.

Other topics discussed at the event included further development of UK-India relations, especially in the fields of geo-political and climate change.

The high commissioner on the occasion congratulated CF India on the role it played in strengthening bilateral links between the UK and India.

More For You

The meeting between Trump and William took place at the UK ambassador's residence in Paris after the event. (Photo: Getty Images)
The meeting between Trump and William took place at the UK ambassador's residence in Paris after the event. (Photo: Getty Images)

Trump meets Prince William at Notre Dame reopening

US president-elect Donald Trump met Prince William on Saturday during the reopening ceremony of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

The event marked the restoration of the historic landmark following a major fire in 2019.

Keep ReadingShow less
Princess of Wales hosts emotional Christmas service
Kate attends the "Together At Christmas" Carol Service" at Westminster Abbey in London on December 6, 2024. (Photo by ISABEL INFANTES/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Princess of Wales hosts emotional Christmas service

PRINCESS OF WALES, Kate Middleton, hosted a Christmas service at Westminster Abbey on Friday (6) that reflected on "the most difficult times" as she returns to public life after her cancer diagnosis.

The London carol service intended to "reflect upon the importance of love and empathy, and how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives", according to Kensington Palace office.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rotherham sexual assault convict to be released from prison: report
Banaras Hussain

Rotherham sexual assault convict to be released from prison: report

A MAN convicted of violent sexual offences in Rotherham is set to be released from prison on licence after serving nine years of a 19-year sentence.

The crimes of Banaras Hussain, 44, included rape, indecent assault, and actual bodily harm, were part of a prolonged pattern of abuse targeting vulnerable victims, some as young as 11.

Keep ReadingShow less
Birmingham gang convicted for £2.5m Covid fraud

Birmingham gang convicted for £2.5m Covid fraud

TWELVE members of an organised crime group from Birmingham, Walsall, and Yorkshire have been found guilty of defrauding over £2.5 million in Covid support grants through fraudulent claims.

The crime group exploited non-trading businesses and stolen identities to submit multiple Covid support claims, including Bounce Back Loans, HMRC payments, and various grants set up to assist struggling businesses and individuals during the pandemic.

Keep ReadingShow less
Migrant workers key to meet housing target, warn builders
Construction workers work on building residential houses and homes at a Homes by Strata building site, in Leeds, northern England on September 4, 2024. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Migrant workers key to meet housing target, warn builders

THE UK must urgently address a construction skills shortage, including by increasing migrant worker numbers, to achieve prime minister's target of building 1.5 million homes by the end of this parliamentary term, industry leaders have warned.

The National Federation of Builders, which represents small and medium-sized contractors, highlighted the scale of the challenge, pointing to an ageing workforce and declining numbers of apprentices, the Telegraph reported.

Keep ReadingShow less