Advising people from the subcontinent residing abroad to abide by the law of the country of their adoption, leading non-resident Indian doctor Khalid Hameed said differences should be aired via the ballot.

Hameed was addressing a function in London [Images] on Wednesday night to felicitate him on his elevation to the House of Lords.

Replying to the felicitations, the 66-year-old doctor, who is leaving on a month-long visit to India on December 17, said the law of the land should be followed by all.

Dr Rami Ranger, chairman of the Pakistan-India and UK Friendship Forum, which organised the function, described it as a unique occasion where people of both the countries have joined hands in paying tribute to a person for his success.

"Normally we do not see eye to eye, let alone get together for a common celebration. It just shows how our attitudes have changed since August 16 when we celebrated the Independence days of India and Pakistan jointly for the first time ever anywhere in the world," Ranger said.

Ranger said next year, the forum planned to take over Trafalgar Square for the joint Independence Day celebrations of India and Pakistan on August 17. "There will be a peace concert and artists from both countries will perform live and we expect over 40,000 people to attend it," he said.

Adjudged Asian of the Year 2007 for his outstanding work in various walks of life including his contribution to health service, Lord Hameed is currently chairman of the Alpha Hospital Group and also chairman and chief executive officer of the London International Hospital, which is a new Centre of Excellence being created for cancer, heart and the brain. He is also a recipient of Padmashree.

Lucknow-born Lord Hameed, who arrived in London from India in 1968, has worked for three teaching hospitals in London.

Following this he developed a successful practice in Central London and was appointed chief executive officer and executive director of the Cromwell Hospital, London, before he took over as chairman of the Alpha Hospital Group.

He is also chairman of the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council and is a trustee of many charities.

He is involved in interfaith work and dialogue for which he undertakes public speaking.

In 2005 he was awarded the Sternberg Award for his work in interfaith matters. He was also chosen for the ambassador of Peace Award in 2007 by the International Federation for World Peace.

He was awarded the CBE in the UK. Hameed was appointed high sheriff of Greater London for 2006-2007 by the Queen, an office which is a 1,000 year old. He was elevated to Life peerage as a Member of the House of Lords recently.