British Prime Minister David Cameron sang an overtly optimistic tune about Indo-British ties as he delivered a key-note address at Infosys Technologies' campus in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
"Thanks to the reform process begun by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the 1990s, the Indian tiger has been uncaged and its power can be felt around the world," he said.
"You feel it in the fantastic new airports in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, in Mumbai's Bandra-Worla Sea Link, in the Delhi Metro and in Delhi's stunning new airport terminal.
"The Tata Group is now the largest manufacturing employer in Britain. And more than 180 Indian companies have invested in our IT sector.
"At the same time, India represents an enormous opportunity for British companies. Already our trade relationship is worth $11.5 billion a year. But I want us to go further.
"India plans to invest over $500 billion in infrastructure in the coming years. That is good for Indian business and also a chance for British companies to generate growth," the British prime minister said.
"Your retail market is growing by 25 per cent annually, and there is no reason why British companies should not be a part of that too.
"India is adding 15 million new mobile phone users every month. British companies can play an even greater role in that, providing services to the Indian consumer and creating jobs in India and in the UK.
"Therefore, I want this to be a relationship which drives economic growth upwards and unemployment figures downwards.
Cameron urged his listeners to perceive his visit preferably as a jobs' mission.
"Indian companies employ 90,000 people in the UK. Many more jobs in Britain exist, thanks to the activities of the British companies in India.
"Now I want to see thousand more jobs created in Britain, and, of course, in India through trade. That is the core purpose of my visit."
Global economy
"In the past couple of years, we have seen nothing less than global economic carnage.
"In Britain, we suffered our longest and deepest recession since the war and are now trying to get to grips with our highest-ever peacetime deficit. In India, exports fell, capital left the country, and growth slowed", Cameron said.
"Therefore, as we emerge from this crisis, we both have to ask ourselves: how can we continue to spread economic opportunity for our people? There is still a huge challenge but India is on its way to be a rising economic power.
"On any measure, India is on an upward trajectory. We, in, Britain are determined to work even harder to earn our living.
"We are optimistic about attracting more foreign investment and selling ourselves to the world with more vigour than ever," said the British prime minister.
"I'm not ashamed to say that's one of the reasons why I'm here today.
On FDI
"We should encourage more investment by Indian companies in Britain and vice versa", Cameron said.
"I want to see more Indians setting up business in Britain and more Brits setting up firms over here," he said.
"There are some important things we can do straight away and I will discuss them with Prime Minister Singh on Thursday.
Among the topics to be talked about are science and innovation scholarships sponsored by Rolls Royce; extending UK-India education and research initiative; encouraging the twinning of UK's top universities with 14 new innovation universities India plans to create.
Education is not just vital for national success, it is one of the best growth businesses of the 21st century, Cameron said.
"I want us in Britain and India to pool some of our advantages for mutual benefit. Will that mean more Indian students will want to trade with Britain, set up businesses in Britain? I certainly hope so.
"But the real prize will come when we take some difficult decisions."
Trade ties: As far as bilateral trade is concerned, more investment in each others' economies will be a vital boost to both our countries, the British prime minister said. But so, too, will trade.
"We need to take some relatively simple steps, like streamlining customs red tape to save time and money. European Union-India trade is worth $50 billion a year already, but the possibility is there for dramatic expansion. So let's seize it.
"I'm determined that we conclude an EU and India Free Trade Agreement before the end of the year. And it's time to hammer out a global deal on trade and to agree on Doha.
"I would like us to complete the Doha Development Round as it is and that's why I'm pushing for it.
"Let's be clear -- right now, negotiations are not moving. Therefore, those of us who passionately want to see progress must now make the case for trade at the top of our voices.
"We can achieve this by establishing a high level group of the best minds and strongest advocates for trade to point the way forward.
"I believe we will all need to show greater ambition. We need to make the deal bigger in order to make progress. If necessary, we should make proposals bigger in order to make progress.
"In the meantime, we must make changes where we can. Trade facilitation can clear the way to much greater economic growth.
"And if we do it, we will take such a giant leap towards meeting the economic challenge of our age.
On climate change
"At the moment, we are looking down the barrel of catastrophic floods, intense heat waves and droughts. Physical geography would dictate human geography, climate change exacerbating waves of migration, poverty, and hunger.
"In fact, nowhere are the risks from climate change more apparent than here in India -- with over half a billion people on the Ganges' plains and most of your agriculture dependent on water from the Himalayas and a reliable monsoon. Therefore, the time for a decisive action is long overdue.
"The UK has already reduced carbon emissions by more than 20 per cent from 1990 levels. Our new government has been taking radical steps to de-carbonise and build a greener economy.
"But, unilateral action can only take us so far. Climate change does not respect borders -- what is sown in one part of the world is reaped the world over.
"That's why we need global action, with all major economies playing their part. That must start at government level.
"Getting an international agreement on climate change is now a matter of urgency. I know this poses difficult questions, not least on fairness.
"It's only fair that those with the longest history of carbon emissions play the biggest part. But it has to be a global effort.
"As we look towards Cancun, let's sit down and thrash out what a global agreement on climate change could look like.
"I am convinced that in no time at all, we will see new cars that are really fuel efficient, new sources of energy that are affordable, new products that will change the way we live.
"These will not only help protect our planet but bring with them jobs and money.
"I'm a practical politician. I believe when the problems are serious, we should tackle them. When the answer is obvious, we should do it. This is why I'm here.
"The problems are indeed serious -- economic crisis, global insecurity and climate change. And the answer is obvious -- India and Britain are coming together.
Image: David Cameron at the Infosys campus. | Photograph: Vicky Nanjappa
