Mumbai: His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, met Maharashtra Governor and Chancellor of State Universities, C P Radhakrishnan, during a courtesy call at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai, on Sunday, February 2.
Prince Edward, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, and the youngest sibling of King Charles III, expressed satisfaction over the growing ties between India and the UK, while emphasizing the need to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Focus on Higher Education and Vocational Training
As Chancellor of the University of Bath, Prince Edward highlighted that collaboration in higher education could be mutually beneficial for both countries.
Stressing the importance of vocational education and training, he noted that learning outside the classroom is equally essential for holistic development.
Need for a UK-India Free Trade Agreement
Governor Radhakrishnan described India and the UK as two of the world’s greatest democracies, stressing the need for deeper bilateral engagement.
He emphasized that India is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, and strong trade relations between India and the UK would positively impact other sectors as well.
The Governor also underscored the urgent need for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations.
Healthcare and Green Energy Cooperation
Governor Radhakrishnan pointed out that India can greatly benefit from the UK’s expertise in green energy, pharmaceuticals, and hospital management.
He noted that the UK has one of the most advanced hospital management systems, which could help India improve its own healthcare infrastructure.
Encouraging MoUs Between Universities
As Chancellor of Maharashtra’s universities, the Governor stated that he would encourage vice-chancellors to establish MoUs with UK institutions to enhance educational collaboration.
Boosting Cricket and Football Development in India
Prince Edward praised India’s phenomenal growth in cricket, especially with the rise of the IPL, and lauded India’s excellence in badminton.
He shared that he would be attending the toss for the T20 match between India and England in Mumbai on Sunday evening.
Governor Radhakrishnan urged the UK to support the growth of football in India, acknowledging that the sport, alongside cricket, enjoys immense popularity in the country.
Expanding the Commonwealth Festival Concept
Discussions also touched upon broadening the scope of the existing Commonwealth Sports Festival to include a Commonwealth Festival of Business and a Commonwealth Festival of Culture.
Dignitaries Present at the Meeting
Also present at the meeting were Harjinder Kang, Deputy High Commissioner of the UK for Western India and Trade Commissioner for South Asia, along with Alex Potts, Private Secretary to the Duke, and John Nickell, Head of Political and Bilateral Affairs.
