Wales' connections with India are built on centuries of shared history, cultural exchange and people to people relationships. Earlier this year, we marked St David's Day in Kolkata with an event celebrating the deep rooted connections between Wales and East and North East India.
We celebrated our national day in Kolkata alongside the British Deputy High Commission. It was a wonderful evening celebrating the deep rooted connections between Wales and East and North East India.
We were honoured to welcome government representatives from the States of Meghalaya and Nagaland where we highlighted the unique people to people links that connect our regions.
Looking at historical links, we paid tribute to Thomas Jones, the Welshman known as the "Father of the Khasi alphabet". He has a public holiday in his name in the State of Meghalaya, the only place in the world to have a public holiday for a Welshman (a distinction even St David hasn't achieved!). The story comes full circle to Kolkata as this is where his grave was found after being unknown for 100 years.
We celebrated the current connections that make our relationship so special. Be they cultural exchanges between the State of Nagaland and Wales, the funding of neonatal units in Meghalaya or the Wales Arts International programme, supported by the Welsh Government, which was touring the State of Mizoram.
At the event we paid tribute to a group of 10 young women from Urdd Gobaith Cymru who were in attendance. They were in Kolkata on a Welsh Government supported programme with Her Future Coalition to help change the lives of women and girls who have been, or are at risk of being drawn into the sex trafficking industry. They spoke with passion about how impactful their visit had been. They explained that even without a common language in rural areas, a connection of sisterhood ran through their work. They have been remarkable ambassadors for Wales.
We discussed the future of what this relationship will bring, including an educational partnership announced by Nagaland representatives, one of whom already has a son studying at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
There is so much more that connects Wales and this part of the world, but the above reflects that Wales is an outward looking, globally responsible country determined to make a positive, lasting impact on the world.
Diolch to everyone who has made this relationship so meaningful over the last two centuries, and a huge thank you to the team that made the event possible.
Events such as these demonstrate how Wales continues to build meaningful international relationships through shared history, education, culture and people to people connections.
Author
Head of India for the Welsh Government, overseeing teams across Bengaluru, New Delhi and Mumbai. He works to strengthen Wales and India relations through trade, investment, education, research and international partnerships.