pics in dcx/Telangana’s proactive approach towards attracting educational institutions can deepen its ties with UK: Gareth Wynn Owen

Telangana's proactive approach towards attracting educational institutions can deepen its ties with UK: Gareth Wynn Owen Updated – August 20, 2026 07: 59 pm IST.

Key points

• British Deputy High Commissioner to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Gareth Wynn Owen at The Hindu office in Hyderabad on Thursday.
• Owen's remarks came against the backdrop of growing engagement between India and the UK, including the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
• Owen, who has 25 years of diplomatic experience throughout different countries, stated his career had exposed him to challenging situations, including protests during his posting in Iran.
• The interaction additionally touched upon worries over anti-immigrant sentiment in the UK, particularly incidents involving South Asians and members of the Indian diaspora.
• On tourism, he remarked Telangana and Hyderabad needed to continuously pursue opportunities to attract more visitors.

British Deputy High Commissioner to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Gareth Wynn Owen at The Hindu office in Hyderabad on Thursday. Photo Credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR.

Telangana's proactive approach towards attracting educational institutions and businesses can support deepen its ties with the United Kingdom (UK), stated Gareth Wynn Owen, British Deputy High Commissioner to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, during an interaction with The Hindu in Hyderabad on Thursday.

"There are no barriers here, " Mr. While speaking concerning the challenges of strengthening UK-Telangana relations, owen remarked. He remarked the focus should be on being proactive and identifying what could be done to create new opportunities rather than looking for barriers.

He particularly pointed to the Telangana government's efforts to attract educational institutions from the UK. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy's current visit to the UK. It includes visits to multiple universities, was a positive development, he remarked. The government's willingness to go all out to address problems and pursue opportunities in the education sector was encouraging, Mr. Owen remarked.

Hyderabad additionally has significant advantages as a destination for global capability centres (GCCs), technology businesses and pharmaceutical businesses. UK institutions that had visited the city had been impressed by the opportunities available, he continued.

Mr. Owen's remarks came against the backdrop of growing engagement between India and the UK, including the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). It he remarked would create greater opportunities for UK businesses seeking to expand their exports to India.

"Scottish whisky makers are excited regarding the prospects offered by the agreement. For plenty of UK businesses, the immediate opportunity is exporting to India rather than setting up manufacturing or other operations in the country, " he noted.

He remarked his office had contributed to the FTA process by engaging with industry bodies and helping them provide information and inputs that could assist the negotiations. Organisations such as the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI) and pharmaceutical industry bodies, were among those engaged with by the office.

Mr. Owen, who has 25 years of diplomatic experience throughout different countries, stated his career had exposed him to challenging situations, including protests during his posting in Iran.

On tourism, he remarked Telangana and Hyderabad needed to continuously pursue opportunities to attract more visitors. Promoting tourism required sustained efforts rather than relying on one-off initiatives, he remarked.

Notably, the interaction additionally touched upon worries over anti-immigrant sentiment in the UK, particularly incidents involving South Asians and members of the Indian diaspora. Mr. Owen described such incidents as isolated and remarked residents in the UK had the freedom to express their views and protest, provided such protests remained peaceful.

In short, pics in dcx/Telangana's proactive approach towards attracting educational institutions can deepen its is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.