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The largest independently organized UK-India conference series concluded in London last week, featuring a series of high-profile discussions with some of India’s leading journalists at the private members’ club The Conduit.
Organized by Talk Journalism, one of India Week’s partner organizations, the media-focused sessions brought together India Today’s Rajdeep Sardesai and Kamlesh Singh, ANI’s Smita Prakash, The Hindu’s Suhasini Haider, and The Indian Express’ Saurabh Dwivedi. The discussions explored the rapidly evolving Indian media landscape and drew full-house audiences throughout the event.
Held from May 26 to 30, India Week attracted more than 1,600 attendees from nearly a dozen countries across nine sold-out events in London, according to a statement. The annual gathering brought together prominent figures from the fields of public policy, journalism, business, and entertainment.
This year’s edition introduced several new initiatives, including efforts to strengthen Track 2 diplomacy, facilitate the entry of global franchise brands into India in partnership with Franchise India, and connect export-oriented Indian businesses with potential distributors in the United Kingdom.
Among the speakers and attendees were former UK Cabinet Minister Sir Vince Cable, Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar, film producer Monisha Advani, music producer Rishi Rich, Prince Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Mewar, Lord Karan Bilimoria, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Chief Executive Officer Karim Fatehi OBE, venture capitalists Raja Ganapathy and Stewart Langdon, and several other business and cultural leaders.
According to the statement, discussions at the flagship Ideas for India conference, organized by think tank Bridge India, focused on a range of topics including India’s role in a multipolar world, its relations with neighboring South Asian countries, the global expansion of Indian entrepreneurship, improving Western media coverage of India’s regional and vernacular stories, and increasing investment in UK-India film co-productions.
The event also featured the Film Conclave, described as the United Kingdom’s only dedicated film co-production market. The platform brought together Indian-origin filmmakers from around the world seeking financing and partnership opportunities for upcoming feature film projects.
Speaking at a joint reception, LCCI CEO Karim Fatehi said India Week was “the leading platform for UK-India trade and investment.”
The exclusive black-tie gala dinner welcomed more than 250 guests and recognized several individuals for their contributions across sectors. Businessman Manish Tiwari of Here&Now 365 received the Achievement in Business Award, bhangra artist H Dhami was honored with the Achievement in Entertainment Award, and Poonam Sharma of Barclays Eagle Labs received the Achievement in Community Service Award for her efforts to support and connect British South Asian entrepreneurs.
Other partners supporting India Week included global education provider Regent Group, international blindness charity Operation Eyesight Universal, and the Federation of Indian Export Organizations, which operates under India’s Ministry of Commerce.
Reflecting on the significance of the event, India Week curator Pratik Dattani said: “In a difficult geopolitical reality, the role of India on the global stage is changing. India Week is the leading such European non-politically aligned series of events, to bring India to the world. Our conversations extend across film, literature, journalism, business and public policy.”
London-based entrepreneur Sukhpal Ahluwalia emphasized the event’s role in strengthening bilateral ties, stating: “India Week plays an important role in strengthening the relationship between the UK and India, not just commercially, but culturally and entrepreneurially too. There is still far more both countries can do together, and I want to play an active role in helping to drive that forward. As I spend more time on the ground in India over the coming years, supporting stronger cross-border relationships, businesses and opportunities will become an even bigger focus for me.”
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