Strengthening UK/India Relations: A Cross-Sector Perspective
With speakers including Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to the Republic of India and Harjinder Kang, Director & Chief Negotiating Officer, UK-India Free Trade Agreement, DIT
Following the UK Prime Minister's recent visit to New Delhi, which included high-level talks on defence, diplomacy and trade, we are delighted to welcome you to join a panel of cross-sector leaders for this virtual discussion on strengthening UK/India Relations.
Join us for your opportunity to:
- Learn more about progress to date along the '2030 Roadmap for India-UK future relations', published May 2021
- Discuss how organisations across the sectors might benefit from a future FTA, and can contribute to achieving strategic priorities such as joint initiatives around clean, renewable energy
- Pose your questions to our expert speakers
Alex Ellis has been appointed as the British High Commissioner to the Republic of India. The High Commissioner is the UK government’s representative in a Commonwealth nation. They are responsible for the direction and work of the High Commission and its Deputy High Commissions, including political and economic work, trade and investment, press and cultural relations, and visa and consular services.
Previously, Alex worked as Deputy National Security Adviser for the Integrated Review on foreign and security policy. He was also Director General in the Department for Exiting the EU for three years. Alex has extensive experience in security issues, EU and strategy, including as: DExEU Director General responsible for the UK-EU security partnership, international agreements with the UK’s closest partners and domestic and EU engagement on Brexit; British Ambassador to Brazil, (2013 - 2017) and Portugal (2007-10); Director of Strategy in the Foreign Office responsible for developing new tools for improving FCO and government policy; Member of the cabinet of the President of the European Commission, with responsibility for energy, climate change, competition, development, trade and strategy; and before that in the UK Representation to the EU working on the negotiations to establish the euro, the seven year budget, and then institutional issues including the Treaty of Nice.
Alex has worked in the British Embassy in Madrid and started his civil service career as part of the team supporting the transition to multi party democracy in South Africa, following the release of Nelson Mandela.
Prior to this Alex was a teacher, including in India. He sings in a choir and loves music, theatre and most sports, especially cricket. He is married to Teresa, and they have one son, Tomás, who has Asperger’s syndrome.
Following a private sector career of over 30 years within the global pharmaceutical industry,
primarily with AstraZeneca PLC, Harjinder joined the Civil Service, where he is currently a Director
and Chief Negotiating Officer in the Trade Negotiations Directorate within the UK Government’s
Department for International Trade.
He is a member of the Council of the University of Birmingham and a Trustee of the Birmingham
Botanical Gardens