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<p>The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for Witham (Ms
Patel), was appointed to the role by the Prime Minister in November 2013. Since then,
she has led a programme of Indian diaspora engagement across the UK focused on strengthening
UK-India ties. Her work has included direct outreach visits – including to Gravesend,
Hounslow, Neasden, Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Leicester in the UK – as well as
engagement with key people in the UK’s diaspora and in India itself, and relevant
media work.</p><p>Since her appointment, the Indian Diaspora Champion has made three
visits to India. Funding for these visits has come from the Foreign and Commonwealth
Office’s existing budget.</p><p>The Indian Diaspora Champion has made representations
to both the UK Government and the Government of India on several issues on behalf
of the Indian diaspora, including the EU ban on importing Indian mangoes, visa service
issues, and bilateral trade and investment matters. Like other British Government
representatives, the Indian Diaspora Champion has also sought to address misconceptions
of the offer that the UK makes to Indian students in the UK, making clear that the
UK welcomes Indian students, that there is no cap on total student numbers who can
come to the UK, and that they can stay on after completing study if they secure a
graduate-level job.</p><p>The Government engages closely on a day-to-day basis with
many diaspora communities in the UK, but has no plans at present to appoint further
diaspora champions.</p>
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