London, Oct 30 (PTI) – Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, has lauded the 166,000 Indian students currently studying in the UK, emphasizing their significant contribution to strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and the UK. Doraiswami made these remarks at a special welcome reception for new Indian students in Britain.

The High Commissioner highlighted that Indian students constitute the largest group of international students in the UK, and are among the "brightest and best". He noted their valuable contributions to the UK's educational institutions and economy through tuition fees and their future contributions to both British and Indian societies. Doraiswami also emphasized the economic value that students bring, noting that their presence supports businesses in the UK.

The welcome reception, an annual event since 2023, was held in association with King's College London on Wednesday evening. The event was also live-streamed across Indian consulates around the UK. Hundreds of Indian students who are beginning their academic journeys in the UK attended the reception.

Doraiswami addressed the gathering, stating that the Indian student community is the largest for the third year in a row, with 166,000 students across the UK. He encouraged the students, acknowledging their capabilities and the value they bring to their studies and research.

The High Commissioner's remarks align with the broader efforts to strengthen the India-UK partnership through educational and cultural exchange. Notably, the University of East London (UEL) and the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) have partnered to bolster the welfare, employability, and overall success of Indian students in the UK. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on October 17, setting a framework that promotes equity, inclusion, and opportunity for international learners.

The partnership between UEL and NISAU seeks to provide practical support to Indian students from pre-arrival to post-graduation, adopting best practices in student engagement, skills development and inclusion. Sanam Arora, NISAU chairperson, stated that the partnership aligns with the India-UK Vision 2035, a roadmap endorsed by Prime Ministers Keir Starmer and Narendra Modi, aimed at strengthening the people-to-people connection between the two nations by empowering students and enhancing collaboration across education and innovation.

Furthermore, UK universities are increasingly opening campuses in India, signaling a growing commitment to Indian students. The University of Lancaster and the University of Surrey have recently received approval to open campuses in India, adding to the University of Southampton's campus in Delhi. The University of York, University of Aberdeen, University of Bristol, University of Liverpool, Queen's University Belfast, and the University of Coventry are also planning to open campuses in India in the near future.