UK is planning to open up to eight new British Trade Offices in India as part of a strategy to widen focus beyond the metros. Launching the India Institute at the King's College in London last evening,British Foreign Secretary William Hague said,"We have ambitious plans to open up to eight new British Trade Offices around the country,as part of a strategy to widen our focus beyond Delhi,Mumbai,Chennai,Kolkata and Bangalore." He also announced Britain's plan to open new Deputy High Commissions in some of India's other fast-growing cities and adding 30 frontline staff. Hague said as Indian companies go global,the UK offers the brands,the creativity and the technology that Indian consumers and entrepreneurs want. "We are a springboard into the European Single Market and the leading advocate of EU Free trade Agreements,including that with India which we hope to see concluded this year." Noting that India is making its mark on the global economy with electrifying skill,innovation and dynamism,Hague said: "It is already one of the largest economies in the world and will soon have the world's largest population. "It is leading the way in the development of renewable energy and green technologies." Hague said the UK wants to be India's partner of choice in a whole range of areas as it develops its economy,supporting job creation and growth in both our countries. "We have set the target of doubling our trade with India by 2015 compared to 2010 and are making good progress: our exports were up more than 40 per cent last year and India is now our third largest market outside the EU." India's Acting High Commissioner Rajesh Prasad was among the dignitaries who attended the launch. The King's India Institute,which opened its doors to students in September 2011,is already rapidly becoming a world-leading institution for global engagement with India. It is pioneering a unique inter-disciplinary approach to research on contemporary India,with experts from across the fields of social sciences,policy,law,security studies,science and health. The Institute is led by Director Professor Sunil Khilnani,author of The Idea of India.
