The UK is "falling behind in the global race to engage with a rising India", a cross-party group of MPs has warned.

It is "time to reset" the UK's relationship with India as it prepares to leave the European Union, the Foreign Affairs Committee said.

In its new report entitled Building Bridges: Reawakening UK-India ties, the committee warned UK migration policy "has at times undercut our broader strategic objectives for the relationship".

It said: "While the Global Britain strategy is not being heard clearly in India, the "hostile environment" message is getting through.

"Movement between the UK and India is what builds the living bridge, and students ensure it will remain strong long into the future."

The report noted that India's place in the world was "changing fast", adding that UK strategy "has not yet adjusted to this new reality".

It said: "We cannot afford to be complacent or rely on historical connections to deliver a modern partnership."

The committee's report warned that the UK's efforts to build links with China "should not be pursued at the expense of ties" with India.

It said: "In a world threatened by autocratic states with contempt for the rules-based international system, it is more important than ever before that the UK and India support each other - and our mutual allies."

The recent UK-India relationship, the report added, was "primarily one of missed opportunities", adding it was a "disappointing reflection on recent UK governments that we have been losing out in terms of influence and trade".

It said: "There are certain practical steps the Government must take to reset its relationship with India, in particular making it easier for Indians to visit the UK and to work or study here."

Tory chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Tugendhat described India as an "essential partner" to the UK.

He said: "More than a million people of Indian heritage currently live in the UK. Our international interests are guided by similar principles: we have strong links through a diaspora, trade, investment, education, tourism and security interests - and as democracies, we share a strong stake in upholding the rule of law.

"Despite these opportunities, the UK has failed to give the relationship the attention it deserves. We missed an important symbolic opportunity to issue a full apology on the 100th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and recognise wrongs that also punctuate our shared history."

He added: "As new powers challenge the structure of global trade and dispute resolution, we cannot miss the opportunity to partner with India.

"Trade, security, a shared commitment to the rules-based international system - these are all factors in our growing and evolving partnership.

"The Government needs to make sure the UK is making its support for India clear, reawakening the ties between us and building bridges that are made to last."

A Foreign Office and Commonwealth spokesperson said: "India is a key partner for the UK.

"We have a unique relationship that is broad and deep. That's why we are working together for to build our prosperity, champion the rules-based international system, and address common threats and challenges.

"We describe as a 'living bridge' the exchange of people, culture and ideas between our two countries - not least the almost 1.5 million Brits of Indian origin in the UK.

"Our partnership also looks to the future through the Technology Partnership, which will create high-value jobs in economy and was launched by Prime Ministers May and Modi when he visited the UK last year.

"Together we are a force for good in the world, whether that's by tackling climate change or by building more sustainable cities."

By Elizabeth Arnold