EALING Southall MP, Virendra Sharma has hosted a meeting between the delegates of the British South Asian Youth Summit (BSAYS) and Lord Ahmad, Minister for South Asia and the Commonwealth.

Lord Ahmad heard the contributions of the delegates on the five key areas of youth interest.

The delegates spoke about building a progressive, sustainable and inclusive economy, strengthening democratic institutions, protecting and expanding the natural environment, decolonising education and on topics of diversity, difference and inclusivity.

The Labour MP said: "I am delighted to host a meeting between our BSAYS youth delegates and Lord Ahmad, Minister for South Asia and the Commonwealth so they could share their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on youth development.

"They were extraordinary in building and strengthening centuries of links between Britain and South Asia.

"I don't believe there is a region with more promise and more potential than that represented by you here."

The delegates presented their vision of the future relationship between the UK and South Asia from the youth perspective.

Wahab Quraishi, Youth Delegate from Afghanistan said: "We are here to discuss our future as young people; to discuss what kind of South Asia we want for our children and us, and how do we establish a healthier and more productive relationship with the UK.

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"That is precisely why we came together at the BSAYS, where we committed to an MOU between our organisations and on behalf of our nations."

Tweeting after the meeting, Lord Ahmad said: "People of South Asian origin make a huge contribution to the UK, from art to architecture, boxing to business.

"I'm honoured to be part of today's British Asian Youth Summit meeting, which is promoting positive and new connections between the UK and South Asia."