Telangana’s proactive approach towards attracting educational institutions can deepen its ties with UK: Gareth Wynn Owen

British Deputy High Commissioner to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, Gareth Wynn Owen, highlighted the importance of Telangana's proactive approach in attracting educational institutions and businesses to strengthen its ties with the United Kingdom (UK). During an interaction with The Hindu in Hyderabad, Owen stated that there are no barriers to deepening the relationship, encouraging proactive measures to create new opportunities rather than focusing on obstacles.

He praised Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy's commitment to pursuing opportunities in the education sector through his recent UK visit, including meetings with various universities. Owen also noted Hyderabad's advantages as a destination for global capability centres, technology companies, and pharmaceutical businesses, which impressed UK institutions that had previously visited the city.

The UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was seen as creating greater opportunities for UK businesses to export their goods to India, with Scottish whisky makers particularly excited about the prospects. Owen's office contributed to the FTA process by engaging with industry bodies and providing information and inputs to assist negotiations.

He emphasized the need for continuous efforts to promote tourism in Telangana and Hyderabad, stating that sustained initiatives are necessary rather than relying on one-off events. Lastly, Owen addressed concerns over anti-immigrant sentiment in the UK, particularly incidents involving South Asians and members of the Indian diaspora, describing such occurrences as isolated and acknowledging the freedom of expression in the UK as long as protests remain peaceful.