India Global Forum’s (IGF) ‘UK-India Week 2023’ commenced with an inaugural Young Leaders Forum at the Nehru Centre in London. The annual event brings together business leaders, policymakers, and thought leaders from India and the UK to further the bilateral relationship.

The opening address at the event, was delivered by Keir Starmer, Leader of the Labour Party and Opposition, who expressed his vision for the future of UK-India ties. Starmer acknowledged the importance of the Indian community and emphasised the need to deepen the relationship with real, modern, and future India, focusing on areas such as a potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and a new strategic partnership for global security, climate security, and economic security.

In his keynote speech, Manoj Ladwa, IGF Founder and Chairman, said “I can say with confidence that there is no other bilateral relationship that has the history, the breadth, the depth, and the mutual ambition than the UK and India.”

The two High Commissioners, Vikram Doraiswami, the High Commissioner of India to the UK and Alexander Ellis, the British High Commissioner to India also addressed the gathering at the event. They shared their experiences of engaging with people from diverse backgrounds in both countries. Their conversation set the stage for UK-India Week 2023, a release stated.

Welcoming the audience, Doraiswami said, “As partners, the High Commission of India is delighted to welcome you to what promises to be one of the biggest and best editions of this signature event.” The ambassador also highlighted rural transformation of India,  sustainable urbanisation and climate action in his speech.

H. E. Alex Ellis addressed the audience, saying "Recognising the complexity, the UK's global integration and India's potential, an FTA between our countries is a positive step forward."

A notable highlight of the day was the 2023 Townhall session, titled ‘AI vs Climate Change – Which is the bigger threat to humanity?’. This interactive session allowed the audience to vote for their choice, with climate change ultimately being selected as the bigger threat.