The Asia Scotland Institute is joined by Alex Ellis, the British High Commissioner to India, and Poonam Gupta OBE, for a discussion of the future of UK relations with India and the key issues involving our countries.

— About the Speakers —

Alex Ellis has been the British High Commissioner to the Republic of India since his appointment in early 2021. Previously, Alex was Deputy National Security Adviser in the Cabinet Office, prior to which he was Director General of the Department for Exiting the European Union. He was Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Brazil from 2013 to 2017, he was Director of Strategy in the Foreign Office responsible for developing new tools for improving FCO and government policy from 2011 to 2013, and Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Portugal from 2007 to 2010. He has had varied posts with the UK Government including as a member of the negotiation team on the Euro, on the EU Budget framework, on the Treaty of the EU and EU Enlargement, and working on South Africa’s transition to multi-party democracy.

Poonam Gupta OBE, founder of PG Paper and winner of Ernst and Young’s UK entrepreneur of the year award in 2019. Born in Delhi, Poonam Gupta has subsequently made Scotland her home while establishing her business in over 60 markets globally, many across Asia. She is passionate about supporting Scotland’s engagement with Asia and India in particular.
Poonam Gupta believes that with success comes social responsibility and charitable work runs like a seam throughout her life and work. An active philanthropist, Poonam led her company’s recent India Covid Appeal, sourcing over 3,000 oxygen concentrators and helping an estimated 10,000 hospital patients across India during the country’s deadly second Covid wave. Poonam is a benefactor of many local, national and international charities; with a particular focus on woman-centric issues, disadvantaged children, gender equality, animal conservation and helping young girls in India to get an education.

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