Consul General Dr. Venkatachalam Murugan met with Mayor Andy Street, West Midlands Combined Authority - 28th March, 2024

On 28th March 2024, the Consul General Dr Venkatachalam Murugan convened with the Mayor of West Midlands Combined Authority Mr Andy Street during a productive lunch meeting. The session encompassed a broad array of topics, delving into investment prospects between the West Midlands and India. Notably, it was underscored that India holds the position of the second-largest investor in Midlands, with a particular focus on sectors such as Advanced Manufacturing, Life Sciences, and Electric Vehicles. The discourse centered on the significant potential for collaboration in clean energy and Electric Vehicles, with specific mention of the proposed TATA investment in Coventry and support for the Giga Factory project, which will attract a £2.5bn investment, create up to 6,000 direct jobs and tens of thousands more in the supply chain. The Gigafactory proposal is part of Coventry and Warwickshire’s ambitious 10-year vision and investment plan specially after Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), confirmation of building £4 billion electric vehicle (EV) battery factory in the UK. These initiatives highlighted promising avenues where Indian companies could align efforts with those in the Midlands.

Additionally, attention was directed towards fostering cooperation in healthcare and education realms. The Consul General emphasized the importance of a Nurses/Healthcare exchange program to facilitate knowledge transfer and professional development between India and UK. Moreover, concerns regarding the welfare of Indian students in UK universities were addressed, with a call for greater clarity from educational institutions regarding post-study opportunities. This clarity was deemed essential to prevent any misconceptions or uncertainties among Indian students following their academic pursuits in the UK.

Furthermore, the Mayor articulated a desire to enhance connectivity between the West Midlands and India, both in terms of direct flight routes and increased participation in Indian cultural/community events. These aspirations underscored the shared commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and promoting cultural exchange between the two regions. Overall, the introductory meeting served as a constructive platform for exploring collaboration opportunities across various sectors and laying the groundwork for future engagements between the West Midlands Combined Authority and Indian stakeholders.