Whether it is through students choosing British universities, Indian companies investing in Britain, Premier League football discussions over coffee or the simple love of a good cup of chai, there is a sense of familiarity between the UK and India that is hard to miss.
Here in India, I am reminded every day of how closely British and Indian lives, cultures and aspirations are connected.
Yet I also realise that, for many Indians, the United Kingdom can sometimes seem defined only by London, rainy weather and perhaps fish and chips.
Modern Britain is about so much more. There is far more to Britain than London (and I say that as a proud Londoner, born in London and having spent much of my life in the city) — it is more varied and perhaps more surprising than the traditional images suggest. Like India, the UK is not one story, but many stories woven together.
London, of course, is the hub of global finance, insurance, asset management and legal services. London’s spirit of entrepreneurship is reflected in its vibrant start-up ecosystem. It attracts bright students from around the world, including from India, and some of the most talented professionals anywhere in the world.
Looking further than London, this is a country where centuries-old castles stand beside world-leading research laboratories; where Shakespeare and cutting-edge gaming studios coexist; and where you can hear dozens of languages spoken on the streets of its various towns and cities.
Many young Indians I meet, from Chevening scholars to the award-winning young Commonwealth leaders I met recently, talk about wanting to visit the UK not just for tourism but for ideas, experiences and inspiration.
As part of the UK-India Vision 2035, our Prime Ministers agreed on an ambitious partnership across many of the areas that will shape both our futures: technology and innovation, economic growth, clean energy, defence and education.
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The UK brings particular strengths in those areas. We have four of the world’s top ten universities. The UK is also the world’s third-largest tech economy and home to more tech unicorns than any other country in Europe.
Nine UK universities have announced plans to open campuses in India. The University of Liverpool’s new Bengaluru campus is one example of how our education partnership is evolving, creating opportunities for students, researchers and innovators in both countries.
The same can be seen in science and technology. British and Indian researchers are working together through partnerships in technology translation, biomanufacturing and genomics.
In clean energy, the collaboration between Imperial College London and Tata Power is bringing together expertise on energy storage, batteries, grids and digital energy systems.
And today’s cooperation is equally visible in security and defence. Rolls-Royce’s proposal to co-produce engines for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft programme is a good example. It is a genuinely groundbreaking initiative and the sort of partnership that shows what is now possible between the UK and India.
But beyond institutions and achievements, what truly defines the UK is its people.
Britain has been shaped by communities from across the world, including a vibrant Indian diaspora that contributes enormously to British society and its economy. Indian food is part of British life. Families across the UK have their favourite curry house and schoolchildren grow up eating samosas at birthday parties.
Food is perhaps the most enjoyable way to understand any country. People often ask me what my favourite British dish is. I struggle to answer that — it is not really about the food itself. It’s about bringing family and friends together around the table. For all the innovation and change that define modern Britain, those moments of connection remain just as important.
British cuisine today is also a reflection of modern Britain itself. In Birmingham, Manchester or Edinburgh, you can eat extraordinary Indian, Turkish, Thai, Nigerian, Italian or Middle Eastern food within the same neighbourhood. So my honest answer to my favourite dish is the rogan josh from the takeaway round the corner in South London.
If I were to recommend one destination in the UK for Indian travellers, I might surprise people by not choosing London despite being a Londoner. My beloved city is magnificent, of course: full of history, museums, theatre, shopping and iconic landmarks. But there is more to the UK.
The Scottish Highlands are often the first place that come to mind. Northern Ireland has much to offer too, from the dramatic cliffs of the Causeway Coast to the vibrant streets of Belfast. Walks in the Lake District, beaches in Cornwall and the coastline of Ynys Mons in Wales are places that stay with you long after you leave.
Ultimately, what I hope Indians discover about the United Kingdom is that it is a country best experienced slowly and personally. Visit the museums and take the famous photographs. But also spend time in local cafes, walk through university towns, take a train journey across the country, explore the countryside and discover the smaller cities that reveal the true character of Britain.
The UK and India are connected not only by history, but by people, ideas and ambition. And perhaps that is why so many Indians who visit Britain tell me the same thing afterwards: that while the UK felt different, it also felt strangely familiar.
That, to me, is the essence of the modern UK: rooted in tradition, open to the world and forever evolving.
Ben Mellor is the Acting British High Commissioner to India.
This article is part of Diplomatic Cable, a special series in which ambassadors and high commissioners in New Delhi share their experiences of India and introduce readers to the people, culture and traditions of their home countries. Read all the articles here.
(Edited by Prashant Dixit)