Britain's Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, who is on a two-day India visit, today inaugurated the new Deputy High Commission office here.
"India is at the forefront of our thinking. (British) Deputy High Commission at Chandigarh is the latest addition to our network in India, which is now the biggest diplomatic network of any country in India, and Britain's biggest diplomatic network anywhere in the world," Hammond said here after inaugurating the office.
"This should not surprise anyone. UK is India's largest investor, investing more than US and Japan combined...," he said.
"The fact that we are opening new DHC office in Chandigarh speaks of our belief in India's future. It speaks about desire to play a prominent partnership role with India," he further said.
Hammond was accompanied by British High Commissioner to India, James Bevan along with other delegates.
The Secretary described UK as "the great place" to invest and do business in, saying the country has "low inflation" and "low interest rates".
"As many members of Punjabi community in UK will tell you, the UK is a great place to invest and do business in. Low inflation and low interest rates... Lowest corporation tax rates in G-20, by far the lowest corporation tax rates in G-7. We are committed to make it even better," Hammond said.
"We guarantee to have the most competitive corporate tax regime in G-20. We are determined to invest in strategic partnership around the world to boost cultural and commercial links and to promote shares, security interest," he added.
He said, "Last year, UK was the fastest growing major economy in the world and India has the potential to be the world's most dynamic economy."
On the educational programmes between the two nations, Hammond said that he was delighted over the extension of India-UK education and research initiative by five years.
"We are offering record number of scholarships to India for the coming year. Over 250,000 Indian students studied in UK over last decade. We welcome more students and new generation UK-India programme, aims to bring 25,000 UK students to India by 2020," he further said.
