Alok Sharma, Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party, has been named as Co-Chairman Conservative Friends of India (CF India).
The MP for Reading West replaces Shailesh Vara MP, who stepped down following a promotion to government at the last ministerial reshuffle, and is now serving as Minister for Courts and Legal Aid.
Alok will be working alongside Ranjit Baxi, who is the group’s other existing Co-Chairman.
Alok has been a CF India Board member since its launch by the Prime Minister in 2012 and also serves as Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party, leading on BME engagement.
Mr Sharma said, “I look forward to working with Ranjit and the rest of the team at CF India as we build further links with the British Indian community and campaign for Conservative success in 2015 and beyond."
Lord Andrew Feldman, Chairman of the Conservative Party said: “I am delighted to welcome Alok Sharma as the new Co-Chairman of Conservative Friends of India. Alok brings with him a wealth of campaigning experience and will be a huge asset to CF India. I look forward to working with him to ensure that the Party continues to build on its strong ties with the British Indian communities".
Ranjit Baxi, Co-Chairman of CF India said: “I congratulate Alok Sharma on his appointment as Co-Chairman of CF India. Alok's long standing association with the Indian community and his work in promoting Indo British ties will be very much welcomed by the Indian Community and CF India members. I very much look forward to working with him".
Ranjit continued: “I want to thank Shailesh for all his efforts and it has been a joy working with him. The Conservative Party’s engagement with the Indian Community is stronger now than it has ever been, not least because of the considerable strides made by CF India".
Shailesh Vara, the outgoing Chairman of CF India, said: “CF India has a very important role to play in continuing to serve as a bridge between the Conservative Party and the British Indian Community.
"Increasingly, under David Cameron’s leadership, the new modern and inclusive Conservative Party is attracting more and more people from the British Indian community, especially young people. CF India is at an important stage in its development and I wish, Alok, the very best in his new role. I know that working alongside Ranjit they will take the organisation to a higher level.”