Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, praised Indian students as the brightest and best at a welcome reception in London, highlighting their significant academic, economic, and bilateral contributions. The Indian student community remains the largest in the UK, strengthening Indo-UK ties through education and research.
In a significant address at a special welcome event for new Indian students in the UK, Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami lauded the 166,000 Indian students as the "brightest and best." Speaking at King's College London, the High Commissioner emphasized that Indian students are not only the largest group of international students in the UK for the third consecutive year but also key contributors to the academic excellence, research innovation, and economic growth of their host country.
Doraiswami highlighted that the presence of Indian students supports UK universities through tuition fees and enriches bilateral relations between India and the UK. He described these students as future custodians of democracy in both nations, underlining their role in sustaining and strengthening the shared democratic values.
The annual welcome event, live-streamed across Indian consulates in the UK since 2023, included practical sessions on banking, healthcare, and safety. It also featured cultural performances and a comedy sketch by British-Indian comedian Ahir Shah, creating an engaging and supportive environment for the new intakes.
Key Highlights
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Indian students are the largest foreign student group in the UK for the third year running (166,000 students)
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Praised as the "brightest and best" by Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami
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Significant contributions through academic excellence, research, and tuition fees support UK education and economy
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Indian students strengthen bilateral India-UK relations and shared democratic values
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Annual welcome reception organized by Indian High Commission in partnership with King's College London
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Event included crucial advice on banking, healthcare, safety, and cultural performances for new students
Sources: The Indian Express, India Today, NDTV, News18