India is at forefront of our thinking: British Foreign Sec

Asserting that India is at "the forefront" of its "thinking", Britain today said the opening of a new Deputy High Commission in Chandigarh speaks of its "belief in India's future" and "desire to play a prominent partnership role with India's states".
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, who is on a two-day India's visit, today inaugurated the new Deputy High Commission office here.
"India is at the forefront of our thinking and (British) Deputy High Commission at Chandigarh is just the latest addition to our network in India, which is now the biggest diplomatic network of any country in India and biggest British diplomatic network anywhere in the world," Hammond said here after inaugurating the office.

"The fact that we are opening a new Deputy High Commission in Chandigarh speaks of our belief in India's future. And it speaks of our desire to play a prominent partnership role with India's states, where so much of India's story is written," he said.
"This should not surprise anyone. UK is India's largest G20 investor, investing more than the US and Japan combined. UK's strengths on business, support on smart cities, and on sustainable energy are a great fit with India's reform programme," he said.
Hammond was accompanied by British High Commissioner to India, James Bevan along with other delegates.

Hammond also agreed with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks, who had called UK and India "an unbeatable combination".

Noting that India's economy is also on the move, Hammond said India has the potential to be the world's "most dynamic economy".
"The UK has an economy that is on the move and so has India. The UK has a long-term economic plan to secure our prosperity and our competitiveness. So has India.
"Last year the UK was the fastest-growing major economy in the world. India has the potential to be the world's most dynamic economy," he said.