British PM Burnham Vows to Strengthen Ties with India in Diwali Message

LONDON, Oct 28: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to strengthen relations with India, promising to build the “strongest possible” links between the two countries during his first Diwali celebration at 10 Downing Street.

Speaking at the annual festival of lights gathering on Tuesday evening, Burnham praised the contributions of British Indian communities and other religious groups, emphasising the importance of unity, harmony and mutual respect in British society.

The event featured the lighting of ceremonial lamps and a rendition of the Hanuman Chalisa, with Burnham and his wife, Marie-France van Heel, joining the celebrations.

“We are trying to bring the light back, and bring the hope back, and bring the positivity and the unity back,” the Prime Minister said, expressing his commitment to promoting greater understanding among communities.

He acknowledged the contributions of Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Muslim communities, describing their presence as an important part of Britain’s national identity. Burnham also assured attendees that his government would continue supporting diverse communities across the country.

Highlighting recent economic engagement with India, the British leader referred to a trade delegation comprising mayors from northern England. The Great North delegation, accompanied by Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, recently visited India to strengthen commercial partnerships and explore opportunities for cooperation.

Burnham said he intended to build stronger connections with India, underlining the importance of closer engagement between businesses and institutions in both countries.

The Prime Minister was introduced by Kanishka Narayan, Britain’s Minister for Artificial Intelligence and one of the senior Indian-origin figures in the Cabinet. Narayan, who was born in Bihar and raised in Wales, drew on the Bhagavad Gita to reflect on the significance of light and stability.

He observed that British Asian communities had witnessed periods of division in the country’s political landscape but credited Burnham with helping foster greater unity and stability.

The celebrations also included a reading from the Bhagavad Gita by Visakha Dasi, president of the Hare Krishna Temple in Watford, and a poetry presentation promoting world peace by a representative of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. The venue was decorated with traditional lamps and flowers.

Diwali-related events are taking place across London ahead of the festival on November 8. The 1928 Institute recently hosted celebrations organised by the India All Party Parliamentary Group, bringing together political representatives and community leaders.

Foreign Office Minister Uma Kumaran, whose family has Tamil heritage, highlighted the longstanding partnership between Britain and India, noting that cooperation extends beyond government relations to business and people-to-people connections.

She also pointed to the significance of the bilateral free trade agreement, which she said was helping businesses in both countries trade, invest and expand their operations.

Meanwhile, the India Global Forum hosted its annual Diwali gathering, attended by Indian High Commissioner to the UK P. Kumaran and British Health Minister James Frith.

The celebrations underscored the growing importance of India-UK engagement, with trade, investment, cultural exchange and the contributions of the British Indian community remaining central to the relationship.