The Labour Friends of India, an India-focussed lobby within the Labour Party was on Wednesday (16) relaunched with an aim to highlight the issues and concerns of the concerns of the 1.5 million-strong Indian community in the UK.

The Labour Friends of India, originally set up in 1999, was relaunched at an event attended by the Indian high commissioner, Ruchi Ghanshyam, at the party headquarters in London.

The group is headed by co-chairmen Rajesh Agarwal, deputy mayor of London, and Darren Jones, Labour MP for Bristol North-West.

“Labour Friends of India will give a powerful voice to the 1.5 million strong British-Indian community, as well as promoting understanding of India’s position as a major international power and fast-growing economy,” said Agarwal, reported the Hindustan Times. 

“A strong international partnership between the UK and India will continue to endure with the relaunch of the group, as we mark 20 years since its launch in 1999. Our ties with India are historic and strong, from supporting India’s right to Independence to challenging the immigration policies for people from the subcontinent”.

Jones said that with an election possible at any time, the group will “redouble our work to listen to and engage the community. That will involve everyone from our leadership and front bench, mayors and council leaders, councillors and activists.”

“The Labour Party’s relationship with India and the significant Indian diaspora in the UK has a proud history, and as we prepare to return to government, we are determined to strengthen our ties for the future,” he said.