Chandigarh, March 16: Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal met with British High Commissioner, Mr. Alex Ellis and Deputy High Commissioner, Ms. Caroline Rowett, led by British MP and Minister, Lord Ahmad at the Haryana Civil Secretariat here on Tuesday. During the meeting, a wide range of topics including investment were discussed.
During the meeting, Sh. Manohar Lal objected to the discussion on the issue of farmers' movement in the British Parliament and said that this is an internal matter of the country. The Chief Minister, handed over a written objection addressed to the British Prime Minister, to the British MP and Minister of South Asia and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Ahmad and the British High Commissioner. The Chief Minister said that Britain should respect India's democratic system and sovereignty. The Chief Minister termed the discussion on farmer movement in the British Parliament as an unnecessary interference in the democratic system of India.
During the meeting, Chief Minister emphasized promotion of skill development, higher education, agriculture, sports and student exchange programmes. He assured that processes for UK's industries already established in Haryana and proposals for new industries are under negotiation and will be completed on priority in time.
The Chief Minister said that to create foreign investment and employment opportunities, we have constituted a special department called 'Foreign Cooperation Department'. This department performs all necessary functions on foreign investment issues. During the meeting, arrangements to facilitate higher education for the youth of Haryana in Britain were also discussed. The Chief Minister urged the Haryanvi diaspora living in the UK to cooperate and extend their necessary support.
During the meeting, Lord Ahmad and Mr. Alex Ellis were apprised of Haryana’s immense potential in the fields of skill development, smart city, urban planning, animal husbandry, agriculture, vocational education, sports, and tourism.
The British High Commissioner suggested an implementation draft on all issues to which the officers of the Foreign Cooperation Department agreed. Officers of the Department will soon meet in the British Deputy High Commissioner's office and prepare a draft so that all subjects can be addressed.
Haryana Chief Secretary, Sh. Vijai Vardhan, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. V. Umashankar, Principal Secretary, Foreign Cooperation Department, Sh. Yogendra Chaudhary, and Director, Foreign Cooperation Department, Sh. Anant Pandey among others were present during the meeting.