Labor Party’s aim towards robust UK-India Relations

July 1, 2024

The UK’s Opposition, Labor Party’s aim is to build a strong strategic partnership with India. If it wins the upcoming general election on July 4. The party, led by Keir Starmer, is working to remove anti-India feelings within its ranks. In order to regain support from the British Indian community. This group that felt isolated during the 2019 general election.

The Labor Party declared its resolution during an annual conference under the former leader Jeremy Corbyn. The resolution supported international intervention in Kashmir. As many believe, it significantly cost the Labor Party support from British Indian voters. Additionally, concerns arose over some Labor council members expressing pro-Khalistan views.

Commitment towards Change

Recently, ‘Asian Voice’ organized a ‘Political Hustings’ event in collaboration with City Sikhs and City Hindus Network. The Labor Party chair Anneliese Dodds expressed the party’s dedication to remove extremist views. Dodds emphasized the party’s commitment to win back the Indian diaspora voters. “We will never take any group of voters for granted. We are working hard for everyone’s votes,” she stated.

Dodds also called on the community to provide details of any party representatives with anti-India feelings. “If there is any proof of anti-Indian views, I will address it immediately,” she promised. Thus highlighting the party’s intention to build a strong practical relationship with India.

Building a Strategic Partnership

As the Labor Party focuses on more than just words. It aims to build a joint venture with India. This includes cooperation in trade, new technologies, the environment, and security. Dodds emphasized that Labor has long discussed a strategic partnership with India. It wants to see concrete cooperation in various fields.

Conservative Party’s Position

On the other hand the Conservative Party, led by Rishi Sunak, also highlighted its pro-India view. Felicity Buchan is the Conservative party’s candidate for Kensington and Bayswater in London. She emphasized the party’s strong historical and cultural ties with India. She noted the importance of the ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) discussions. Along with the collaborations in fields such as COVID-19 vaccines, defense, and security.

Controversy in Dudley North

As a disagreement emerged when Marco Longhi, the Conservative candidate for Dudley North, issued a campaign letter. Which stated that he would speak up for Kashmir in the British Parliament. Many viewed this stance as controversial. Because he is contesting against Labor’s British-Indian candidate, Sonia Kumar. As he also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s re-election. Thus expressing concern for Britain’s Kashmiris.

Liberal and Green Party’s Stance

Lord Christopher Fox, who is part of a group that talks about international agreements in the government. He explained why a trade deal with India is important. He said it would help the UK a lot because India’s economy and technology are growing fast.

Pallavi Devulapalli, who speaks for the Green Party about health and social issues, talked about a new group called Green Friends of India. They want to make relations better between India and the UK by trade and sharing culture.

Labor party’s Final Push for Votes

As election day gets closer, all parties and candidates are asking people to vote. They’re paying a lot of attention to the UK’s Indian community which has 1.8 million people. Because they’re really important in this election. Each party is trying to secure the support of this important group. By emphasizing their commitment to enhancing India-UK relations.

The outcome of the election will decide the future path of the UK’s foreign policy and its relationship with India. The Labor Party has decided to remove any anti-India feelings and build a strong alliance. Along with the Conservative Party’s focus on historical ties and trade deals. This highlights the importance of the Indian diaspora’s vote in shaping these policies.

Rajlaxmi Deshmukh

Rajlaxmi Deshmukh is a Political Science Expert with Keen Interest in Geopolitics. She was working with a Think Tank Based in Pune before she joined News Interpretation in the capacity of Geo Political Editor.

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