Cambridge Prof sees great scope for Indo-British cooperation

Hyderabad, Jan 10 (UNI) Dismissing as ''aberration'' the colonial past, Cambridge University Press Syndics Chairman Gordon Johnson tonight called for strengthening the Indo-British relations for mutual benefit of both the countries.

''We should overcome the fractured relationship in colonial period to build a mutually beneficial relationship. This will do a lot of good for both the countries'', he said delivering a lecture on ''Indo-British Relations in Historical Context'' at the Administrative Staff College of India here.

There were many opportunities for both countries to work closely in the political arena in the United Nations and other international fora as also in the economic field, said Prof Johnson, President of Wolfson College, Cambridge.

People of Indian origin in the UK play an important role both in politics and economy, he pointed out, adding that people of Indian origin were flourishing in England and other cities now.

Praising the Indian diaspora, he said ''30 million Indians living in 135 countries put the Chinese diaspora to shame''.

The education links between the two countries would remain strong as many colleges affiliated to the Cambridge University pursued joint research with excellent Indian universities and IITs.

People in the past came to Cambridge because of the British rule.

But younger generation now had many reasons to join Cambridge, which had good international network.

Observing that English language had become key medium of communication in the rapidly shrinking world, he echoed the views of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying that 'Sun cannot set in the region with English speaking people as the Indians account for largest number of them.

Enterpreneurship had firm roots in the Indian society and was not a radical departure from the past, he observed, adding that great Indian family firms followed the modern capitalist theories.

''The building blocks of the British empire was not a bubble'', he noted, adding that the princely states had created an elaborate structure of governance and modern armies.

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