'India, London partners in globalisation'

Observing that India and London have vital interest in "strengthening" their business links, city Mayor Ken Livingstone said he would be opening two mayoral offices in Delhi and Mumbai during his visit to the country next year, besides discussing trade and cultural issues.

"India's rapidly expanding companies are seeking to globalise themselves. London is the world's most global city. Both therefore have a vital interest in strengthening their links," he said at the annual India Business Reception he hosted at the historic Somerset House in London on Tuesday.

Livingstone announced that he would be opening two mayor offices in India -- one in Delhi and one in Mumbai - next year to help extend business and cultural links and would personally visit the two cities in late 2007. India already has the second largest number of foreign direct investment projects in London, next only to the US.

He also announced that the business theme of 2007 programme will be 'India, London - partners in globalisation.'

"India is not only one of the world's most important and rapidly growing economies -- it is a rising superpower. It also has one of the world's most important cultures. London where 300 languages are spoken, is the most multi-cultural city in the world and within it those of Indian origin are the single largest minority. With the arrival of more and more Indian companies India's cultural impact on London is only going to increase further," he said.

Indian High Commissioner Kamalesh Sharma, who was the Guest of Honour, said India and UK have become "mutually reliant" partners in the 21st century.

About 500 Indian companies have so far established their representative offices in the UK, Sharma said. "The Indian community, which accounted for two per cent of the UK population contributed five per cent to the GDP," he added.

Livingstone announced that next summer would see a three-month season celebrating Indian culture in the capital, including business events.

"This will culminate in an India-themed Regent Street Festival at the beginning of September, which is expected to attract up to 500,000 people," he said adding India will also be the theme of the annual cultural arts festival that takes place in Trafalgar Square each August.

A wide range of London's organisations and attractions across the capital will contribute to the season, including the National Film Theatre, Victoria and Albert Museum, the South Bank and Barbican Centres, Watermans, Thames Festival, the Institute of Contemporary Arts and Akademi.

During his visit to India starting in Delhi, he said the discussion would centre on how the two cities could learn from each other about staging the 2010 Commonwealth Games (in Delhi) and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games (in London). Besides, business and cultural issues would also figure.

Michael Charlton, chief executive of Think London, the foreign direct investment agency for London, said the city attracted over half of all Indian investment into Europe and provided Indian businesses with a gateway to the continent.

"London and India already have a long established and strong working partnership, which we plan to build on in 2007 by establishing a full-time presence in India."