Prince Andrew to visit India from Sunday

Fri, Mar 7 08:56 PM

London, March 7 (PTI) Britain's Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, is scheduled to undertake a week-long visit to India from March 9 to promote bilateral trade and investment, official sources here said today. The Prince will visit New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore as the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment.

Speaking before his March 9 to 15 visit, he said: "India is fast becoming one of the great power houses of the global economy and the UK recognises the importance of maintaining and developing our economic links. It has been a couple of years since I was last in India, and I always very much look forward to my visits here.

" In Delhi, the Prince will meet Ashwani Kumar, Minister of State for Industry and Commerce. He will also be the Guest of Honour at the Queen's Birthday party, which will be hosted by the British High Commissioner to India, Sir Richard Stagg.

In Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore, he will meet leading industrialists and businessmen. Prince Andrew, born on February 19, 1960 is the second son and the third child of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

Andrew Cahn, Chief Executive of UK Trade and Investment, said: "Since taking on his role as UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, His Royal Highness The Duke of York has brought valuable support and visibility at home and abroad to the UK's activities in promoting international trade and encouraging inward investment. "The response from the British business community has been very positive.

Business leaders who have met The Duke have been impressed by his enthusiasm for the role. He is a real asset in promoting the UK as a place with which to do business.

" PTI.

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