Andrew Murray Burnham, Britain’s new Prime Minister, had visited India in 2019 as the Mayor of Greater Manchester, as part of a visit organised by the Manchester India Partnership (MIP). He had visited three cities then – Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru – and had highlighted the opportunities for co-operation in healthcare, technology and education, amongst other sectors.
Andy Burnham’s visit was aimed at strengthening co-operation between Greater Manchester and India across business, education, research and innovation. During the visit, he described India as a crucial market in Greater Manchester’s international strategy. “India presents significant opportunities to the city-region, but these opportunities are mutual; Greater Manchester is also helping India with its own economic growth plans,” Burnham had said at the time.
Rather than viewing India only as an export market, Burnham emphasised a two-way partnership in which both sides could benefit through investment, knowledge-sharing and innovation. He also spoke of opportunities for collaboration in medical research, healthcare innovation and partnerships between universities and research institutions and gave importance to strengthening connectivity between India and northern England, including expanding direct flight links and encouraging greater tourism and business travel.
“As the mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham had engaged closely with India, most recently addressing the inaugural India-North England Opportunity Summit in March this year. Few understand better what this region and India can achieve together. We deeply value his continued partnership and extend our best wishes, as he assumes responsibility,” acknowledges the Consulate General of India in Manchester.
Meanwhile, the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has scaled new heights this year and with CETA (Comprehensive Economic & Trade Agreement) now in force, there could not be a more promising moment.
The UK is a preferred destination for Indian students. At present, there are over 90,000 Indian students in the UK – the single largest source of international students. Burnham had talked about enhancing ties in education with India and, so, this sector is likely to get a boost.
India will also hope to see Britain exercise control, which would lead to fewer protests by pro-Khalistani supporters across the UK under the new PM’s tenure, as it often becomes a point of concern diplomatically. It has been noticed, especially during official visits of high-level dignitaries from India, that pro-Khalistani protests mushroom and turn into a security hazard.
Facing challenges
Meanwhile, Burnham will have a lot at stake to stay in power for the three years left in the term of the present PM of Britain. On the home front, he will have to cap bus fares and address energy bills, amongst other challenges. Also, Britain expects Prime Minister Andy Burnham to deliver urgent relief in the cost-of-living crisis and tackle failing public services. Having transitioned from the mayor of Greater Manchester to a national leader, he will be expected to provide consistency as the UK’s seventh PM in a decade.
He had earlier said that he would push power out of London and into local regions, including opening a Downing Street branch in Manchester. He also would like to end rough sleeping – where people live in the open in small tents.
Andy Burnham is referred to as the ‘King of the North’ because, in 2020, he refused to accept additional Covid-19 restrictions from the Central government without adequate financial support
Andy Burnham is referred to as the ‘King of the North’ because, in 2020, he refused to accept additional Covid-19 restrictions from the Central government without adequate financial support. Since then, the label has stuck, which recognises him as a champion of Northern England. During his tenure as the mayor of Greater Manchester (2017 to mid-2026), he had focused on regional issues like housing, homelessness and integrating the region’s transport network. After winning a Parliamentary by-election in Makerfield, he has now succeeded Keir Starmer as leader of the Labour Party and the prime minister of the UK.
The 56-year-old Burnham was born in Liverpool. His father was a telephone engineer and his mother a GP receptionist. He studied English Literature at Cambridge. He is Catholic by birth but says he isn’t particularly religious. “Catholic social teaching underpins my politics,” he had remarked. “We did have to read the catechism at school, but it is powerful, strong and right”.