LONDON, Sept 23 – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been awarded the prestigious ‘Living Bridge’ honour for his key role in strengthening India-UK bilateral ties and successfully concluding the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The honour was accepted on Starmer’s behalf by Seema Malhotra, Britain’s Indian-origin Minister for the Indo-Pacific, at a ceremony held in the House of Lords complex in London on Monday evening.
Organised annually by the India Business Group (IBG), the Living Bridge Awards celebrate individuals and organisations building stronger economic, cultural, and educational links between India and the UK.
This year’s awards also recognised:
- GMR Group – Indian multinational conglomerate
- G P Hinduja – British Indian business leader
- Bina Mehta – KPMG UK Chair
- University of Southampton – for contributions to education and research ties
The India-UK FTA, concluded earlier this year, is expected to boost trade, investment, and job creation across key sectors, including technology, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and education.