G20 podium
Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: The success of India’s space missions has been lauded by British High Commissioner Alex Ellis. In a recent interview, Ellis maintained that the Test Vehicle Abort Mission, conducted as part of the Gaganyaan project, underscored India’s ‘ambition’, ‘aspirations’, and ‘capability’.
He added that the mission added a unique flavor to the G20 Summit. This is the second attempt of the abort mission after the earlier failure in 2019 due to an engine ignition issue.
Talking about the Indo-UK diplomatic ties, Ellis stressed upon the need and importance of ongoing efforts to establish a well-balanced and ambitious agreement between the two countries, emphasising the need to first conclude the Free Trade Agreement negotiations.
When quizzed about the next potential visit of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Ellis said he was only aware of Sunak’s “desire” to visit Ellis has been the British envoy to India since 2021 and has closely observed and enjoyed the country’s rich culture. He participated in the recently-concluded Durga Puja festival celebrations in Delhi and expressed his joy over the warmth and Indian hospitality.
He noted that being a part of these celebrations, which represent powerful expressions of faith, is a wonderful experience for anyone living in India.
“It’s wonderful to be at Puja again. It’s the seventh day. I think it’s the day of Kali. I think the power, the Shakti of Kali, is present. But it’s a wonderful part of it for anyone who lives in India to participate in these celebrations, but also very powerful expressions of faith, and I’ve always loved India,” he said.
Ellis expressed his affinity with India’s religious places like temples and mosques and his love for visiting pandals, while making a special mention of the warm welcome he received from the Bengali community.
“I’ve always loved coming to pandals, and I’ve always enjoyed going to temples as well as to mosques and other places, and so it’s just a pleasure for me, and I feel very welcomed by the Bengali community here,” said the British envoy.
