British media company SIS Live still claim they are owed funds for their work at the 2010 Commonwealth Games ©Getty Images

The British Government are hopeful of a resolution to a pay dispute involving media company SIS Live and the Government of India regarding the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games.

SIS Live had won a contract to provide Production and Coverage Facilities for the 19th edition of the Games, but claim they are yet to receive £29 million ($45 million/€40 million) owed to them following their broadcasting work.

British Member of Parliament Laurence Robertson raised the issue in the House of Commons ahead of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the United Kingdom next month.

In response the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Hugo Swire, claimed the payment on funds to the British company was being pursued five-years on from the Games.

"In the case of SIS Live, the British high commission in New Delhi has provided consistent support to the company and urged the Government of India to resolve the dispute over payment," he said.

"I personally raised this issue with the Indian high commissioner just yesterday, and we will continue to press for a satisfactory settlement.

"We very much hope this will be resolved before Prime Minister Modi comes here shortly."

SIS Live won a broadcasting contract for the Games in March 2010
SIS Live won a broadcasting contract for the Games in March 2010 ©Getty Images

SIS chief executive Gary Smith has praised the Government for their support in the company’s bid to claim the funds and criticised the conditions in which they worked in during the course of the Games.

"We are very grateful for the consistent support we have received over the past five years from the British Government," he said.

"The conditions under which we had to operate for the Delhi Games were notoriously difficult, but we delivered internationally acclaimed broadcast coverage of the very highest standard, on time and within budget.

"Five years have passed, and we are still waiting to be paid.

"This is obviously very serious for SIS, but, as the Minister said, what’s important is the signal this sends to other British companies thinking of doing business with India.

"What has happened to SIS is no secret.

"If it can happen to us, it can happen to anyone else.

"We are very encouraged that the new Indian Government under Prime Minister Modi has adopted a much more positive attitude towards international business, and we are hopeful that his visit to the UK may cause action to be taken to resolve this damaging situation.

"This is not the kind of message which Mr Modi or his Government wants to send out to the world."

The Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games had endured several problems including the threat of boycotts in the build-up due to security fears, however the 20th edition in the Scottish city of Glasgow last year was widely considered to be one of the more successful events in the Games' history.



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