Bhubaneswar: Dr. Andrew Fleming, the British Deputy High Commissioner for East and Northeast India, called on Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, at Lokseva Bhavan (LSB Chamber) in Bhubaneswar.
Shri Singh Deo presented “The Orissan” to the British Envoy. This Book is about 2500 Years of Odisha’s Culinary Heritage Rooted in Temple Traditions, Culture and Authentic Recipes.
The book celebrates Odia identity, maritime heritage, and spiritual devotion, offering readers a meaningful journey into the state’s enduring culinary legacy.
Shri Vishal Kumar Dev, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy, Shri Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma, Principal Secretary Forest, Environment & Climate Change, CMD, OPTCL, Shri Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment were present.
The British Deputy High Commissioner was joined by a delegation that included Shri Sandip Chaudhuri, Head of Investment for Eastern India at the Department for Business and Trade, and Shrimati Swarnamayee Satapathy, Assistant Officer for Communications, Events, and Visits.
The high-level meeting centered on strengthening bilateral collaborations between the United Kingdom and Odisha, especially following the momentum around the UK-India Free Trade Agreement.
Core Areas of Collaboration The discussions focused on boosting bilateral trade and investment. Specific priority sectors highlighted during the meeting were energy, infrastructure, skills development, critical minerals, and sports development. Both leaders explored strategic avenues to foster sustainable economic growth and expand regional cooperation in alignment with the Viksit Odisha vision.
Regional Engagement and Cultural Ties During the interaction, Dr. Fleming highlighted his personal connection to the region, noting that this marked his 18th visit to Odisha. He commended the state for its cultural heritage, rich traditions, and rapid pace of economic growth, while both parties agreed on deepening people-to-people connections between the UK and Odisha.
The delegation visit highlights the United Kingdom’s continued commitment to partner with Odisha across commerce, energy transition, education, and cultural domains.