Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Labour Party reaches out to Indian diaspora

It comes after some years of perceived Indian diaspora disconnect under the previous Labour leadership, something which seems to have shifted this year with the attendance of India’s Deputy High Commissioner to the UK, Sujit Ghosh, reported iGlobal.

Labour Party reaches out to Indian diaspora

The Labour Convention of Indian Organisations (LCIO) is aiming to close the gap between British Indians and the Labour Party by boosting the Indian diaspora connection.

The party announced that it will bridge the gap between the Labour Party and British Indians and India by fostering inclusive sustainable growth for both countries through a trade agreement; deepening cultural and educational ties between Britain and India; and engaging with India as a "partner and critical friend" on issues of concern for British Indians. The LCIO announced its relaunch on Independence Day last month to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India's independence.


During a special India-focussed event, the recently revived LCIO was formally launched and hailed its mission of strengthening India-UK relations, reported iGlobal.

On the sidelines of the party conference in Liverpool Labour Party Leader, Sir Keir Starmer, said, "I welcome the re-establishment of the Labour Convention of Indian Organisations. The timing is poignant as people worldwide celebrate 75 years of Indian independence."

Signifying another attempt by the Opposition party to connect with the Indian diaspora electorate, he said, "I'm proud of Labour's work with the Indian diaspora in the UK, particularly in strengthening ties between the UK and India. British Indians make an enormous contribution to our economy, culture, and politics. I'll welcome working with the LCIO on our mission to form the next Labour government."

It comes after some years of perceived Indian diaspora disconnect under the previous Labour leadership, something which seems to have shifted this year with the attendance of India's Deputy High Commissioner to the UK, Sujit Ghosh, reported iGlobal.

"Deputy High Commissioner @HCI_London attended the relaunch event of Labour Convention of Indian Organisations at the Annual Labour Conference in Liverpool. We welcome the initiative and look forward to working closely with @LabourIndians to further the India-UK ties. @VDoraiswami," tweeted the High Commission of India, London.

Replying to the High Commission, LCIO thanked the Indian High Commissioner, V Doraiswami and said, "We are looking forward to a fruitful relationship."

The speakers at the event, chaired by British Indian MP Navendu Mishra, included veteran British Indian MP Virendra Sharma and party colleagues such as Barry Gardiner and Paula Barker.

"I've visited India a number of times and was really impressed by the organisation of women's groups and how they are tackling the climate crisis," said Angela Rayner, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, who also spoke about the Indian diaspora's enriching influence on the UK with specific reference to the "amazing nurses from Kerala" employed in the state-funded National Health Service (NHS), reported iGlobal.

Other speakers at the event included LCIO's Steering Committee members made up of prominent British Indian community leaders such as Neena Gill, Krish Raval, Dr Nikita Ved, and Gurinder Singh Josan.

The LCIO traces its roots back to India's independence movement and said that the reason for the reinvigoration this year is to connect British Indians to Labour inclusively and to engage India on the significant issues of our time - namely the climate crisis, sustainable development and enhancing internationalism.

(ANI)

More For You

Former police officer arrested in Rotherham investigation

Investigators believe the earlier offences happened between 1995 and 2002 (Photo for representation: iStock)

Former police officer arrested in Rotherham investigation

A FORMER police officer has been arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into child sexual abuse in Rotherham, authorities revealed on Tuesday (1).

The former constable, who is in his 50s, was taken into custody on Monday (31). He is suspected of raping a teenage girl in the South Yorkshire town in 2004, according to officials.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi Xi

Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping during their meeting in October 2024.

75 years of India-China relations: Modi, Xi call for stronger ties

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi and Chinese president Xi Jinping exchanged messages on Tuesday to mark the 75th anniversary of India-China diplomatic relations.

Modi stated that the development of bilateral ties contributes to global stability and a multipolar world, while Xi called for a "dragon-elephant tango" to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions
Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions

THE Sri Lanka government on Wednesday (2) formed a committee to recommend measures regarding the UK's decision to impose sanctions on three former military commanders who led the campaign that crushed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009.

Health minister Nalinda Jayatissa told reporters that foreign minister Vijitha Herath, justice minister Harshana Nanayakkara and deputy minister of defence Aruna Jayasekara would comprise the committee that would consult experts for the purpose.

Keep ReadingShow less
Gujarat-blast-ANI

The blast caused the factory’s concrete roof to collapse, scattering debris and body parts across the area, officials confirmed. (Photo: ANI)

ANI

Death toll rises to 21 in Gujarat firework factory explosion

AN EXPLOSION at an illegal firecracker factory in Gujarat's Deesa town killed 21 people and injured several others on Tuesday, officials said.

The blast caused the factory’s concrete roof to collapse, scattering debris and body parts across the area, officials confirmed.

Keep ReadingShow less
Child benefit payments set to rise for UK families

Child benefit, normally paid every four weeks directly into bank accounts, has undergone significant changes in recent months (Photo: Getty Images)

Child benefit payments set to rise for UK families

MILLIONS of British families are set to receive a financial boost as child benefit payments increase from April 7, according to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

From next week, parents will receive £26.05 per week for the eldest or only child, amounting to £1,354.60 annually - up from the current rate of £25.60. For each additional child, payments will rise to £17.25 weekly, totalling £897 per year - an increase from the present £16.95 rate. This represents a 1.7 per cent increase across all payment categories.

Keep ReadingShow less