The BJP-led NDA government’s indication not to open-up the multi-brand retail for foreign players should be respected, Scott Furssedonn-Wood, the British Deputy High Commissioner for Eastern India, said here on Wednesday.

“This (FDI in multi-brand retail) is a decision of an individual country and we respect it,” Furssedonn-Wood said when asked for his comments on the matter.

Furssedonn-Wood was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an interactive session organised by the Bharat Chamber of Commerce.

Union Commerce and Industries minister Nirmala Sitharaman had on Tuesday indicated that they were averse to allowing foreign players in multi-brand retail. The previous Congress-led UPA government had, however, allowed FDI in multi-brand retail. Hopeful of strengthening ties between the two nations, Furssedonn-Wood said that British universities were keen to enter into tie-ups here.

The Queen’s University Belfast, he said, was looking for tie-ups in the north-eastern States. “Things are still not finalised. They are still looking at various options,” he said.

Similarly, it is also carrying out a pilot programme in West Bengal for granting diploma to medical students. A MoU between the State Government and Royal College of General Practitioners has already been signed.

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