Consul General, Dr. Aman Puri with Hon’ble Chief Minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh
The Consul General of India in Birmingham Dr. Aman Puri called on the Hon’ble Governor of Punjab Shri. V.P. Singh Badnore on September 19th and Hon’ble Chief Minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh on September 20th respectively. The meetings held at Indian State’s capital Chandigarh were scheduled as a part of the State attachment during the Mid Career Training Program (Phase-II) of senior Indian Foreign Service officers in the current year.
The two meetings focussed on strengthening the ever growing trade and investment relationship between Punjab and the United Kingdom (UK). The Consul General also discussed the ways and means by which the Consulate can play an active role in establishing additional linkages between Punjab and UK to encourage future collaborations, given the large diaspora from Punjab in UK’s Midlands. The Government of Punjab has in the recent past launched various projects, such as ‘Connect with Your Roots’ to encourage the youth of Punjabi diaspora to connect with their roots in State. They also discussed various other avenues wherein the Punjabi diaspora in Midlands can play an active role in enhancing the relations between India and UK.
Dr. Puri briefed both the dignitaries about the year-long celebrations of the 350th Birth anniversary of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji which was organised by the Consulate on a large scale in the Midlands and was hugely successful. He also conveyed that the Punjabi diaspora in UK is very keen to participate in the year long celebrations which are being planned by the Government of India and the Government of Punjab on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji which falls in November, 2019. Hon’ble Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh mentioned that Punjab will be organising celebrations befitting the occasion and would be glad to welcome the Sikh diaspora from all around the world during the same. The Consul General, Dr. Puri expressed his satisfaction that both the meetings were fruitful and hoped that it will help bridge the relations of India and UK and also bring Punjab closer to its diaspora. The other officers similarly briefed the dignitaries on the developments in their regions and suggested ways to increase collaboration between Punjab and their respective countries.
