British PM Starmer gets ‘Living Bridge’ honour for role in concluding India-UK FTA

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been conferred the prestigious ‘Living Bridge’ honour in recognition of his role in strengthening bilateral ties and securing the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Award Ceremony

• The award was presented at a ceremony held in the House of Lords complex, London.
• Seema Malhotra, Britain’s Indian-origin Minister for the Indo-Pacific in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), accepted the award on Starmer’s behalf.
• The Living Bridge Awards are organised annually by the India Business Group (IBG), a UK-based strategic consultancy.

Other Awardees

This year’s awards also recognised contributions from:

• GMR Group, New Delhi-based multinational conglomerate.
• G P Hinduja, leading British Indian businessman.
• Bina Mehta, Chair of KPMG UK.
• University of Southampton, for strengthening academic and cultural collaboration.

India-UK Free Trade Agreement (CETA)

• The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) seeks to double bilateral trade to USD 120 billion by 2030.
• The pact has been signed and is now undergoing UK parliamentary ratification, expected to be completed next year.

(Source: BS)