Geoffrey elected Chair of EU Parliament body for India ties

Geoffrey Van Orden, a Conservative party member of European Parliament and a veteran India hand has been elected Chair of the key European Parliament delegation for relations with India.
Van Orden, has had a long association with India and has visited the country numerous times.
"I have a long and very happy association with India going back to my days as a British Army Officer when I was fortunate to attend the Indian Defence Services Staff College. I have maintained strong connections ever since and most recently have been Chairman of the Europe-India Chamber of Commerce," he said in a statement.

Van Orden, originally from Britain, has also met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi several times and praised new initiatives of the government to kick-start the India growth story.
"I know how much importance Prime Minister Modi attaches to accelerating the pace of Indian economic growth and social reform and the relationship with Europe will be a vital part of this," he said.
Speaking of the historical ties between India and his own country, he said, "India has particularly strong links with my own country, the UK, and British Prime Minister David Cameron has placed emphasis on improving strategic and trading position with India. Many other European countries are seeking to up their game in relations with India.