New Delhi, Oct 17 (NationPress) Voicing relief regarding the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron emphasized that the true challenge resides in the successful execution of the peace plan, which marks merely the commencement of the journey rather than its conclusion.

"As someone from Northern Ireland, this issue is deeply personal to me. The ceasefire is merely the start of the journey, not its conclusion. Numerous years of effort lie ahead, and substantial challenges await. However, one must initiate the process, as violence cannot solve these issues. The path is intricate, filled with difficult choices and significant implementation hurdles," Cameron expressed at the NDTV World Summit.

Having extensive experience in the Middle East, the High Commissioner underscored the importance of maintaining the ceasefire.

"My tenure in the Middle East has shown that predicting the future is exceptionally challenging... Yet, I remain hopeful for peace. The overwhelming relief felt when the hostages were returned this week, along with a renewed sense of hope and optimism, is something we must cling to. The real difficulty lies in implementing these measures," she stated.

Cameron described British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's recent visit to India as fantastic, reminiscing about the warm reception he and his team received in Mumbai. She noted that the UK views its relationship with India as a forward-looking partnership, referring to the Indian diaspora in the UK as an incredible living bridge.

She also mentioned Starmer's visit to Yash Raj Studios, where he previewed the 'Romantics' trailer.

"When we welcomed the Prime Minister, along with the Business Secretary, the Scottish Secretary, and our Investment Minister, there were so many participants that we had to book a larger plane. It was genuinely a delightful visit, and Mumbai couldn't have been more accommodating. Over 5,000 posters adorned the city, even lighting up the sea link," she noted.

"This warm reception reflects the relationship between our two Prime Ministers and our nations. We view this as a truly future-oriented partnership, capitalizing on our existing connections. Almost two million individuals of Indian descent reside in the UK, forming an extraordinary living bridge. We aspire for this to evolve into a powerhouse of opportunities for businesses to collaborate, which I witnessed firsthand," Cameron remarked.

Earlier this month, Starmer visited Mumbai for a two-day trip to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This marked Starmer's inaugural official visit to India since taking office. During his stay, Starmer engaged with Prime Minister Modi, discussing ways to strengthen bilateral ties.

The British High Commissioner also addressed the recent India-UK defence Exercise Konkan, labeling it a significant signal that the UK recognizes India as a pivotal power for the future.

"We were thrilled that the Indian and UK carriers successfully executed a complex exercise off the western coast of India last week. This collaboration is a testament to our view of India as an important future power. We aspire to support India in achieving its utmost potential and wish to be integral to our defense relationship. The carriers symbolize this bond, and our naval collaboration is immensely significant. We have had numerous discussions in the past year about the importance of maritime security in the Indian Ocean... Additionally, we have signed a letter of intent regarding electric propulsion for ships, a pioneering area where the UK has considerable experience, which will also play a crucial role in India's future," she elaborated.

"Lastly, we had the CEO of Rolls-Royce, Tufan Erginbilgic, as part of the UK delegation last week, who spoke about our broader vision for how UK defense and civilian capabilities can contribute to India's future, including 'Made in India' initiatives. We see immense potential for cooperation and mutual growth in our security and prosperity, and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for our industries to collaborate," she concluded during her remarks at the NDTV World Summit.