A royal launch to bolster post-Brexit India-UK ties

The Queen opened up Buckingham Palace to Indian dance and music as she hosted the launch of UK India Year of Culture 2017. India's Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, represented the Government of India to mark the launch of Indian festivities across Britain throughout the year.

The year 2017 had been declared UK India Year of Culture during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK in November 2015. Its official launch took place on February 27 with a gala reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace, which was lit up in peacock colours - a reference to India's national bird. Earlier in the day, heavy downpours in London washed out a planned Changing of the Guard ceremony to Indian music but Band of the Grenadier Guards moved to Wellington Barracks nearby to perform the music. [caption id="attachment_10637" align="alignright" width="300"]

Arun Jaitley With Lord Jitesh Gadhia[/caption] The festivities, which brought together high-profile celebrities from various fields, are widely seen a reiteration of Britain's focus on India as a stronger trading partner once it leaves the European Union (EU) after a referendum in favour of Brexit last year. "This only re-emphasises the importance which is attached to the Indo-UK relationship. It launches a heavy calendar of events that will celebrate our excellent relationship with the UK over the decades," Jaitley said. "This is the kind of celebration of India-UK culture that should have happened long ago," added Indian cricket legend Kapil Dev. The Queen was joined by her husband, Duke of Edinburgh, and grandson Prince William and his wife Kate. [caption id="attachment_10638" align="alignleft" width="300"]

Indian actors Suresh Gopi and Kamal Hassan[/caption] A series of institutions in Britain and India will be collaborating throughout the year to present a host of screenings, travelling exhibitions, literary festivals, music and dance performances, and sporting events. [caption id="attachment_10639" align="alignright" width="175"]

Cricketer Kapil Dev with the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Y.K. Sinha[/caption] UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson said: “Through the year of culture we will celebrate modern India and the long standing relationship between both countries, rooted in our flourishing people-to-people links. I hope through this series of cultural events we can connect the next generation of Britons and Indians and inspire people to play their part in shaping UK-India relations over the next 70 years.” India@UK2017, organised by the Indian High Commission in London, the Indian Ministry of Culture, and Indian festival producer Teamwork Arts, in association with the UK's Globe Theatre, British Library, Young Vic, Birmingham Rep, Barbican Centre, Sadler's Wells, Tramway, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, and the Royal Festival Hall, will present five iconic strands in the UK to showcase the cultural diversity of India through the year.