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FOREIGN EXCHANGE: Livingstone (left) with Dikshit in London
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The year
2002 in London has seen a preponderance of India. It seemed only fitting
that Delhi is the first city London chose to formalise its friendship
with. Recently, London Mayor Ken Livingstone signed a historic friendship
agreement with Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. It was a natural choice:
a sixth of the population in London is of Indian origin and Indians run
13,000 businesses in the city and employ 51,000 people.
The friendship is no mere formality. It has both civic and commercial
implications. Livingstone invited Indian entrepreneurs to set up business
in the 65,000 sq mile area in Docklands being developed for this purpose.
"I am keen to develop London's cultural, economic, technological
and environmental links with Delhi," he stressed.
The links are already strong as was evident by the impressive turnout
of leading Indian businessmen, including Lord Swaraj Paul and Raj Loomba,
at the ceremony. Dikshit too was upbeat about the prospects.
"It will not only lead to greater people to people contact but is
also likely to foster increased cooperation between the two cities on
specific projects." Delhi, she said, was interested in interchange
on tourism, waste management and congestion charging.
Speaker after speaker echoed her sentiments. Lord Paul believed that
the pact would strengthen historic ties between London and Delhi, while
Labour Friends of India Director Vikas Pota hailed it as a recognition
of contribution of Indians in London. "I like the fact that both
cities are keen on exploring a number of initiatives," he added.
Pollution will be one such issue as both cities face similar challenges.
The two civic authorities plan to exchange notes on river pollution and
managing the high levels of industrial waste. Traffic overload was another
point of civic concern from which Delhi could take lessons.
Dikshit also spoke about the underground rail link soon to start in the
Indian capital. She said London, which has one of world's oldest underground
service, could give Delhi some useful tips on metro management.
More encouraging are the prospects of Delhi using the pact as an opportunity
to attract investments. "It's a very profitable pact between the
world's oldest and the largest democracies," declared Dikshit. It
was certainly a rewarding evening for those who attended the historic
ceremony. Sitar maestro Ravi Shankar and his daughter Anoushka set the
right tone for the occasion.
-Ishara Bhasi
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CURRENT
ISSUE AUGUST 12, 2002
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