SATURDAY, JULY 27, 2024
Team Herald
With both India and the UK gearing up for general elections next month, the annual India Global Forum (IGF) in London is poised to illuminate the strategic ties between the two nations. Scheduled from June 24 to 28, the event will feature a lineup of senior ministers, entrepreneurs, and analysts, deliberating on the future trajectory of bilateral relations under newly elected governments.
The IGF London, now in its sixth year, will delve into various aspects of the partnership, including the progress of the free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between India and the UK. These negotiations, initiated in January 2022, have reached a standstill during the fourteenth round of talks, coinciding with the electoral cycles in both countries this year.
Manoj Ladwa, Founder and Chairman of UK-based strategic events platform India Global Forum, emphasized the significance of the event regardless of the election outcomes. He stated, "Regardless of which governments come to power, a series of opportunities, and certainly challenges, await them; that’s why IGF London 2024 is set to be a crucial event in the diary, serving as a major economic and geopolitical stocktake, offering vital insights and informing the strategic direction for any new administration."
IGF London aims to provide critical insights and shape perspectives on the geopolitical climate, fostering collaborations and innovations for the future. The week-long event, attended by prominent figures such as British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Opposition Leader Keir Starmer in the past, will also analyze the results of the Indian elections, set to be announced on June 4, and anticipate the UK general election on July 4.
The forum will assess and chart the course for future UK-India relations, including the progress of the 2030 Roadmap, across 15 events at iconic venues in London and nearby in Windsor. The event will culminate in the prestigious UK-India Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations driving the bilateral partnership forward.
