Trade, investment and knowledge exchange will be in focus as Scotland's External Affairs Minister, Michael Russell, pays a five-day visit to India from October 11 to build on the "existing links" between the two countries and forge new relationships.
Russell will undertake a series of engagements in India with priority on trade and investment, education and science, and culture — key areas for collaboration identified in the Scottish government's Programme of Engagement with South Asia, to be published later this year.
Besides New Delhi, Russell will also visit Kolkata.
"The reason for focusing our attention on India is simple. Not only are there huge potential benefits to be reaped from working closely with India, the well established existing links between our two countries provide a great platform for success," the Minister said today.
"This visit is about strengthening historical ties, as well as establishing ones that recognise what Scotland and India have to offer each other in the 21st century," he added.
India has one of the few economies that continues to expand rapidly despite the global economic downturn, Russell said adding, this presents a huge opportunity for both countries to benefit from collaboration "as we both focus on a goal of increasing sustainable economic growth."