INDIA
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the present state of political, cultural, trade and military relations with India; and if he will make a statement. [138396]
Mr Swire, Minister of State: The UK and India have a close and wide ranging relationship. With particular emphasis on trade and investment, science, innovation, climate change, education, defence and cultural ties. India invests more in the UK than in the rest of the EU combined and we continue to help British businesses develop their operations in India with a view to doubling bilateral trade from 2010 levels by 2015. Our Army, Navy and Airforce conduct joint exercises and hold regular dialogues with their Indian counterparts and we have held productive discussions on counter terrorism and cyber security. The cultural ties between the UK and India , a fellow member of the Commonwealth underpins our relationship. The British Council has helped train over a million English teachers in India and our two Governments work to promote ties between our universities, museums and research institutions.
The Government will continue to devote significant effort and resources to this crucial bilateral relationship. Three Ministers have visited India already in the first weeks of 2013 and the Prime Minister will lead a delegation of businesses to India later this year.