Thursday, September 8 2005 12:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Acknowledging Indian entrepreneurs' contribution to the UK's economy, British Prime Minister Tony Blair today (Sept 8, 2005) said bilateral ties 'were never more exciting' for further strengthening trade and political relations.

Presenting the first UK Trade and Investment-CNBC India Business award to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Blair said, "Never were our relations ever more exciting."

"The talks we have had will further boost not only trade and political relations. They will lend great energy and vitality," he said.

Noting that Britain was proud of Indian businessmen's contribution to UK's economy and vice versa, Blair said, "We can do a great deal more," and asked the business community exploit the opportunity.

Describing the partnership between the two business communities as a 'winning combination', Blair said, entrepreneurs of the two countries were engaged in realms of pure excellence.

Asserting the strengthening of bilateral ties, Blair said both the countries were inking a new UK-India air services treaty, a film co-production agreement beside a Memorandum of Understanding on hydrocarbon sector.

He said Indo-British Partnership Network is also being established by Karan Bilimoria.

Receiving the award, TCS chief S Ramadorai said in the knowledge millennium, entrepreneurs should strive to contribute towards making 'truly global citizens'.

He said TCS had a 30-year-old association with UK and wherever the company was present, it had long-term commitment towards the economy as well as the community of that place.