AN INDIAN court has remanded Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal to 14-day judicial custody in a money laundering case.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Goyal on September 1 under under money laundering laws following a long session of questioning.
The 74-year-old businessman was produced before a Mumbai court at the end of his ED remand on Thursday (14).
The money laundering case stems from a first information report (FIR) of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Jet Airways, Goyal, his wife Anita and some former company executives of the now grounded private airline in connection with the fraud.
The FIR was registered on the state-owned Canara Bank's complaint which alleged that it sanctioned credit limits and loans to Jet Airways (India) Ltd to the tune of Rs 8.48 billion (£82m) of which Rs 5.38 bn (£52m) was outstanding.
(PTI)
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Lord Collins of Highbury and Nimisha Madhvani with other officials at the launch of the UK-Uganda Growth Dialogue in Kampala
Direct flights will link Gatwick to Uganda from May 18
May 08, 2025
LORD COLLINS of Highbury, the minister for Africa, concluded a two-day visit to Uganda last month, reaffirming the UK’s commitment to sustainable development, inclusive partnerships and mutual economic growth.
During the visit (April 3–4), the minister was welcomed by president Yoweri Museveni at State House.
Uganda’s High Commissioner to the UK, Nimisha Madhvani, played a key role during the visit, joining Lord Collins at several important engagements.
The UK-Uganda Growth Dialogue was also launched during the visit; it is aimed at driving investment, improving the business environment, and increasing bilateral trade, in association with Uganda’s Ministry of Finance.
Lord Collins toured Zembo, a UK-supported e-mobility company leading Uganda’s green transport transition.
Backed by Innovate UK and the Private Infrastructure Development Group, Zembo’s electric motorcycles are helping reduce carbon emissions while saving local riders an average of $500 (£374) per year.
At a joint reception with Uganda Airlines, Lord Collins announced the launch of direct passenger flights between Entebbe and London Gatwick from May 18, the first in a decade.
The new route is expected to boost trade, tourism and cultural connections.
“The introduction of direct flights marks a pivotal moment in our shared journey towards deeper economic and people-topeople ties,” said Lord Collins.
He also visited the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), a flagship centre of UK-Uganda scientific and medical research collaboration.
With over £25 million in UK funding, UVRI has made critical advancements in HIV/AIDS, Ebola research, and infectious viral disease control.
Lord Collins met researchers from both countries, recognising their joint success in strengthening global health security.
“This visit reflects the UK’s enduring partnership with Uganda – built on mutual respect, shared goals, and a commitment to sustainable progress,” Lord Collins said.
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Brightsun Travel wins King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade
May 08, 2025
A LEADING UK-based travel service provider has won the King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade, a prestigious business honour.
Brightsun Travel recorded high turnover in the past three years despite the challenging business climate and disruption in the aftermath of the pandemic
The company successfully built trade partnerships in over 21 countries.
“This prestigious accolade is a testament to our team’s passion, dedication, and commitment to delivering exceptional travel experiences to our customers,” said Deepak Nangla, managing director at Brightsun Travel.
He added, “It recognises our decades of contributions to the UK economy, the trust of our valued customers, and the strong partnerships we’ve built both domestically and globally, reaffirming the UK’s excellence in travel and tourism globally.”
Chairperson RS Nangla described the key to the firm’s success to “putting customers first, treating staff like family, and investing in technology”.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise, established in 1965 and renamed in 2023, celebrate outstanding UK businesses demonstrating excellence in international trade, innovation, sustainable development, and promoting opportunity through social mobility.
Brightsun was set up in a small office in Soho, London, with a husband-and-wife team.
It has today grown to be one of 1000 “companies to inspire Britain” by the London Stock Exchange, and was named in The Independent’s E2E Dynamic Top 100 Entrepreneurs.
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FTA ‘will elevate India to be Britain’s most trusted partner’
May 07, 2025
WHAT does the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), welcomed on Tuesday (6) by the British and Indian prime ministers, Sir Keir Starmer and Narendra Modi, mean for Eastern Eye readers?
The FTA certainly opens up many more opportunities for British Indian businessmen (and women).
As Eastern Eye’s Asian Rich List demonstrates year on year, there are thousands of successful British Indian business folk. Basically, there is the chance for a lot of people to make a lot of money. They won’t be held back by the “can’t work” or “won’t work” philosophy currently crippling parts of UK society. Some of India’s dynamism is bound to be rub off on the UK.
First, many Eastern Eye readers are familiar with the way Indian bureaucracy works and have learned to navigate their way through subcontinental officialdom. Prominent industrialists – like the Hindujas or Lakshmi Mittal or Lord Swraj Paul – don’t need any lessons on how to do business in India.
But British businesses, run by white people, may need a helping hand. This is where a little handholding or joint partnerships could be very useful.
No one is going to spell this out, but when the FTA is formally signed, India will effectively replace the US as the UK’s trusted partner. While US president Donald Trump is in power, the British government will not know from one day to the next where it stands on tariffs.
To be sure, the UK’s relationship with Europe is of the greatest importance, but Germany, France, Italy and Spain, all with ageing populations, are going through difficult economic challenges. In marked contrast, the economy of India, which has a young population, is expected to grow by around seven per cent for the foreseeable future. For the UK to ride piggyback on the Indian economy offers this country a lifeline.
Politically, too, the FTA is more important for prime minister Sir Keir Starmer than it is for India’s Narendra Modi. In the local elections, Labour (and the Tories) took a hammering from Nigel Farage’s Reform party. The FTA with India is Starmer’s first major success.
It has certainly been a long time in the making.
It is worth remembering that in 2022, Boris Johnson, when he was prime minister, promised the FTA would be signed “by Diwali”. Progress was made under Johnson’s successor, Rishi Sunak, but he couldn’t get the treaty over the line. One reason was that he would not do anything that would be interpreted by the right wing of the Conservative party as making concessions on migration.
Kemi Badenoch, who was secretary of state for business and international trade under Sunak, even boasted that she had held up the FTA because she would not give ground on migration. In fact, India had not sought any concessions on immigration. It was just that Badenoch wanted to appear tough on immigration to the far right of her party.
Labour’s links with India had weakened in the 14 years the party was in opposition. But Jonathan Reynolds, the understated but competent business and trade secretary, was able to build on the negotiations that had been conducted under the Tories. He and the Indian commerce minister, Piyush Goyal, were able to reach agreement.
The FTA does give Labour a chance to rebuild its relationship with British Indian voters. On such issues as Kashmir and terrorism, Starmer will now go against his Pakistani-origin MPs and not do anything to upset Modi. Politically, the FTA is a godsend for Starmer. There are reports that in a cabinet reshuffle that is apparently imminent, he will sack the culture secretary, Lisa Nandy. That would undermine his efforts to repair relations with Indian origin voters. On her recent visit to Mumbai and Delhi, Nandy was able to sign a far-reaching cultural agreement with India. She also emphasised that she was the only Indian origin cabinet minister in Starmer’s government. But the prime minister, who is said to be “thin skinned”, has apparently not forgiven her for not backing him for the party leadership.
How the FTA works out in practice remains to be seen. But the British public will become aware, probably for the first time, that nearly a thousand companies from India have invested in the UK and created thousands of jobs.
Bilateral trade, currently $60 billion (£45bn), is projected to double by 2030 – that is only five years away.
The FTA will come as very bad news to the likes of Farage and the former Tory home secretary, Suella Braverman, because obviously the planes from India will be full of Indian executives. It may become difficult to get business class seats in both directions. Bur that is the price of prosperity.
In a post Brexit world, in which China is seen as an enemy and America no longer as a friend, India has the potential to become one of the UK’s most important trading partners. And that does have implications for Eastern Eye readers who work in the UK-India business corridor.
What the FTA means for India was explained by Vikram Doraiswami, the Indian high commissioner in the UK.
“This is our biggest and most ambitious FTA,” he told Eastern Eye.
It contained 26 chapters covering a wide range of areas, including notably IT security.
Young Indians who came to the UK to work for short periods would not be required to make National Insurance contributions for three years.
Students would also benefit, he said. The figures for 2023-2024 showed that out of 752,000 international students in the UK, the biggest cohort – 107,480 – came from India. China had been pushed into second place with 98,400.
“The FTA will create new opportunities for India and the UK,” the high commissioner declared.
That appears to be especially true for Eastern Eye readers.
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Disney to open new theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi in partnership with Miral
May 07, 2025
The Walt Disney Company has announced plans to develop a new theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi, marking its first such venture in the Middle East. The project will be delivered in collaboration with UAE-based destination developer Miral, and will be located on Yas Island, already a hub for entertainment and leisure in the United Arab Emirates.
This new development will become Disney's seventh theme park resort globally. According to the announcement made on 8 May, Disney will not be contributing capital to the project. Instead, Miral will fully fund, develop, and build the park, while Disney Imagineers will oversee the creative design and operational aspects. The entertainment giant will earn royalties from the venture.
Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, said in a statement, "This is a thrilling moment for our company as we announce plans to build an exciting Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, whose culture is rich with an appreciation of the arts and creativity. As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting-edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways."
Although Iger declined to provide an exact timeline for the opening, he mentioned that such projects typically take between 18 months and two years for design and development, and around five years for construction. However, no firm dates have been committed to at this stage.
The announcement follows Disney’s strong performance in the second quarter of its 2024 fiscal year, during which its experiences division, which includes theme parks, resorts, cruises, and merchandise, saw a 6% year-on-year increase in revenue. The division accounted for 37% of the company's total revenue and nearly 60% of its operating income.
"Experiences is obviously a critical business for Disney and also an important growth platform," said Iger during the company’s second-quarter earnings call. "Despite questions around any macroeconomic uncertainty or the impact of competition, I’m encouraged by the strength and resilience of our business."
Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, described the project as a "new frontier in theme park development". He added, "Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio. The location of our park is incredibly unique – anchored by a beautiful waterfront, which will allow us to tell our stories in completely new ways."
The resort will feature themed accommodation, dining and retail experiences, combining Disney’s storytelling legacy with the modern and cultural identity of Abu Dhabi. While specific attractions have yet to be revealed, the park is expected to reflect both local flavour and globally recognised Disney characters and themes.
Yas Island, the park's future home, is already a major entertainment and tourism destination. It currently hosts attractions such as Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. The area is also home to the Yas Marina Circuit, the venue for the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and features shopping destinations like Yas Mall and leisure venues including an award-winning golf course.
Disney has been gradually increasing its presence in the UAE through retail partnerships and touring shows such as "The Lion King" and "Disney on Ice". The idea of establishing a permanent resort in the region dates back to 2017 or 2018, according to Iger, but plans were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and leadership changes within the company.
The UAE location is seen as strategically valuable for Disney due to its accessibility. Around one-third of the world’s population lives within a four-hour flight of the country, giving the new resort access to a potential tourism market of approximately 500 million people.
Miral, the project’s developer, is known for its expertise in immersive destinations. The company is expected to handle the construction and financing of the park entirely, while Disney provides creative and operational guidance. This approach mirrors similar licensing deals the company has struck in regions like China.
Though not part of the $60 billion Disney has pledged to invest in its parks globally over the next decade, the Abu Dhabi project signals the company's ambition to expand its physical footprint and audience reach beyond traditional markets.
"It’ll be much larger than anything that’s currently here," D’Amaro said during an interview with CNBC, referring to the scale and scope of the planned development. The Abu Dhabi resort is intended to offer a deeply immersive experience, leveraging technological innovation and storytelling to engage visitors from the region and beyond.
As planning and development get underway, more details about attractions, themes, and opening timelines are expected to be released in the coming years.
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Starmer and Modi shake hands during a bilateral meeting in the sidelines of the G20 summit at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Brazil, on November 18, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)
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UK and India finalise free trade agreement after three years of talks
May 06, 2025
INDIA and the United Kingdom on Tuesday concluded a long-awaited free trade agreement after three years of negotiations. The deal, finalised in the context of past US tariff actions under president Donald Trump, is the most significant trade pact for the UK since it left the European Union.
The agreement between the world’s fifth and sixth largest economies aims to increase bilateral trade by £25.5 billion by 2040 through improved market access and eased trade restrictions.
"These landmark agreements will further deepen our comprehensive strategic partnership, and catalyse trade, investment, growth, job creation, and innovation in both our economies," Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said.
Delighted to speak with my friend PM @Keir_Starmer. In a historic milestone, India and the UK have successfully concluded an ambitious and mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement, along with a Double Contribution Convention. These landmark agreements will further deepen our…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 6, 2025
The pact lowers tariffs on a range of goods including whisky, advanced manufacturing components, and food items such as lamb, salmon, chocolates, and biscuits. It also sets quotas for automobile imports on both sides.
Both countries are also working on separate bilateral agreements with the United States to remove some of the tariffs introduced during Trump’s presidency, which had disrupted global trade. The UK-India deal gained urgency amid these developments.
ALSO READ: India accepts limited UK visa concessions to push trade deal
"We are now in a new era for trade and the economy. That means going further and faster to strengthen the UK's economy," prime minister Keir Starmer said.
"Strengthening our alliances and reducing trade barriers with economies around the world is part of our plan for change to deliver a stronger and more secure economy here at home."
The agreement opens up parts of India’s protected market, including the automobile sector, and is seen as a model for India’s approach to future trade discussions with the United States and the European Union.
Negotiations began in January 2022 and became symbolic of Britain’s post-Brexit trade ambitions. The talks faced several delays as the UK went through four prime ministers since then, and both countries held elections last year.
ALSO READ: UK, India announce £400m trade and investment deals
A Downing Street spokesperson said:
“The prime minister spoke to the prime minister of India Narendra Modi today.
“The leaders began by celebrating the landmark UK-India Free Trade Agreement announced today – a deal which will add billions to the UK economy, boost wages and deliver on this government’s Plan for Change.
Delighted to speak with my friend PM @Keir_Starmer. In a historic milestone, India and the UK have successfully concluded an ambitious and mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement, along with a Double Contribution Convention. These landmark agreements will further deepen our…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 6, 2025
“In a huge economic win for the UK, delivering for working people and British businesses, the prime minister underscored the need to go further and faster to get things done, to secure and renew our country.
“Through pragmatism and purpose, the leaders noted that this historic deal is the biggest the UK has done since leaving the EU, and the most ambitious India has ever done. Prime minister Modi also thanked the prime minister for his decisive leadership in getting the deal over the line.
“Turning to the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir last month, the prime minister reiterated his deep condolences at the tragic and senseless loss of life.
“Finally, prime minister Modi extended an invitation to India, which the prime minister was pleased to accept and said he looked forward to visiting India at the earliest opportunity.
“They looked forward to speaking soon.”
Key elements of the UK-India trade deal:
- Bilateral trade: Currently at £42.6 billion, expected to grow by £25.5 billion annually from 2040.
- Market access: India to reduce import duties on whisky, medical devices, machinery, lamb, salmon, chocolate, soft drinks, biscuits, cosmetics, and aerospace products.
- Whisky tariffs: Cut from 150 per cent to 75 per cent, then down to 40 per cent by the 10th year.
- Automobiles: India to reduce tariffs to 10 per cent under a quota, from over 100 per cent.
- Tariff impact: India's tariff cuts expected to exceed £400 million based on 2022 data, with the value expected to more than double in 10 years.
- Trade ranking: India was the UK’s 11th largest trading partner in 2024.
- Post-Brexit milestone: UK described the deal as its most economically significant trade agreement since leaving the EU.
(With inputs from agencies)
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