New Delhi: The Indiancommunity in Britain iswidely respected and liked, says a Tory MP, putting into perspective theescalating racism debate in Britain,particularly after verbal attacks against Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty onthe TV show 'Celebrity Big Brother'. 

"Indians are respected for their work ethic, businesssuccess and the way they have integrated into British society," saidStephen Crabb, who at 34 is the youngest Conservative member of the House ofCommons. 

"There is little jealousy or animosity towards theIndian diaspora among British people and that is one of the reasons whyBollywood actress Shilpa Shetty attracted so much support during the disputeover Jade Goody's behaviour," Crabb told sources. during an Indiatour with British human rights organisation Christian Solidarity Worldwide. 

Shetty, who was allegedly subjected to racist bullying byfellow participant reality TV star Goody, was last month voted to victory on"Celebrity Big Brother" by viewers in Britain. 

Crabb said Shetty was the only celebrity among theparticipants of the Channel 4 programme that had a bunch of people cooped uptogether in a house with no access to the outside world. 

"During my visit to India,I realised that Shetty is truly a celebrity, unlike Jade Goody and others, whoare far from being famous in the UK,"he said. 

"Whether Jade Goody's comments were motivated by racismor not, they were unquestionably rude and offensive. Goody's behaviour was uglyand many British people want to distance themselves from it," added Crabb,who won the Preseli Pembrokeshire  in the 2005 general election. 

The British parliamentarian, who is a member of the ConservativeFriends of India committee, said there was growing awareness in Britain, especially in political circles, about India'seconomic growth and its increasing importance as a regional power and astrategic ally. 

"While there is still some concern, often fuelled bytrade unions, among the general population about job security as a result ofoutsourcing to India, manypeople are recognising that Indiahas arrived on the world stage and will help shape global economic andgeopolitical developments in the decades ahead," added Crabb. 

When asked what key areas his committee had identified forengagement with New Delhi,he said the highest on the agenda was trade.

 "The fear isthat firms in the UK are notcapturing enough of the huge increase in India's international trade. The USand Australiaseem to do better," he said. 

According to Crabb, the concerns of the committee includededucational links, especially in the fields of science and engineering, andhealthcare. His party is also eager to see an increasing diplomatic role of India in thearea of regional security. 

The committee, he added, was concerned about the protectionof human rights not just within India, but how India can influence othernations' human rights situation, for example Burma (Myanmar).