modi visit to the uk

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PM Modi may visit UK in October as both sides push for FTA

India and the UK are looking to firm up a visit to London next month by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the signing of a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), people familiar with the matter said.

Most of the formal negotiations for the FTA have been completed in five rounds of talks between the two sides and only a few issues remain to be sorted out. The leadership of both countries have said they are looking to conclude the pact by Diwali, which is expected to be celebrated on October 24.

India and the UK are confident about concluding the FTA before Diwali, and it is expected the agreement will be signed by the trade ministers in the presence of the Indian and British PMs, an official aware of developments said.

A final decision on the visit and logistics is expected by the first week of October, the official added, requesting anonymity.

The visit, if finalised, is expected to happen around the time of Diwali, and will be capped by the signing of the FTA, people familiar with the planning on both sides said. There has been no official announcement regarding the matter from both countries. Email queries sent to the PMO and the commerce ministry elicited no response.

Among the issues that are yet to be finalised by the two sides are chapters of the FTA relate to automobiles and mobility and migration, the people said. The British side has offered terms on migration and mobility that are similar to those in the FTA signed by the UK and Australia in December 2021, they added. The UK-Australia pact allows British businesses to hire Australian professionals from a range of sectors, including engineering and architecture. The Indian side is yet to respond to this offer, the people said.

Another official said there is broad agreement on 26 chapters. “Both partners respect sensitivities of each side and adjust accordingly,” he said, requesting anonymity.

The two sides are now engaged in consultations on the fast track to thrash out the remaining issues by early October, the people said.

The Indian side has focused on ensuring a better deal for the mobility of professionals and students, and boosting exports in labour-intensive sectors such as leather, textiles, jewellery, processed agricultural products, marine products, pharmaceuticals and health care.

The UK is looking at tariff cuts for whisky and cars and greater access for digital and legal services.

Commerce secretary BVR Subrahmanyam said on September 3 that the India-UK FTA is “very much on track”. He added, “Our fingers are touching…The Diwali deadline is not going to be missed. Mark my words.”

UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, who assumed office earlier this month after Boris Johnson stepped down, is looking to use the finalisation of the FTA as one the major accomplishments in the early days of her government. Truss reportedly overruled objections from the UK department of international trade on rushing ahead with the FTA with India as there is little possibility of a trade pact with the US being concluded any time soon, the people said.

The FTA is expected to drive UK exports to India to £16 billion a year by 2035 and this is being projected as a significant win by the British side, the people said.

Truss, in her former roles as international trade secretary and foreign secretary, has championed closer economic and strategic ties with India. She had signed off on the India-UK Enhanced Trade Partnership on behalf of the Boris Johnson government in May 2021.

Modi’s planned visit is expected to include a business roundtable with leading businesspeople. In addition to economic issues, the two sides are also expected to unveil a new arrangement for closer cooperation in defence and security, which forms one of the five pillars of the India-UK 2030 Roadmap finalised in 2021, the people said.

The 2030 Roadmap states that the two countries will “complete a set of framework documents including Logistics and Training MoUs and Grey and Dark shipping information sharing agreements” to deepen security ties and enable collaboration between the armed services.

Following its exit from the European Union (EU), the UK has been keen on quickly concluding trade deals with major economies such as India, which recently surpassed Britain as the world’s fifth largest economy.

The UK has concluded deals with 69 countries and one with the EU. India has speedily finalised trade deals this year with Australia and the United Arab Emirates and is in talks with the EU, Canada, and other nations.

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PM Modi’s visit to boost ‘special relationship’ of India, UK: Priti Patel

Britain's senior-most indian-origin minister has said narendra modi's first visit to the uk as the prime minister will be a chance for the two countries to take their "special relationship into the modern context"..

Britain’s senior-most Indian-origin minister has said Narendra Modi’s first visit to the UK as the Prime Minister will be a chance for the two countries to take their “special relationship into the modern context”.

Priti Patel will be the driving force during Modi’s much-anticipated visit between November 12 and 14 as British Prime Minister David Cameron’s Indian Diaspora Champion.

She said Modi’s visit at the time of auspicious occasion of Diwali will be one of the biggest celebrations in the UK.

“It is such a special and auspicious occasion for all Indians and the fact that we have the Prime Minister of India coming to the UK at that auspicious time to be among the largest Indian Diaspora communities in the world will absolutely make this a very exciting celebration and a very important illustration of the strength of the relationship of our two great nations,” 43-year-old Patel told PTI.

“I am thrilled to be involved in supporting the official visit and also being involved in the community event at Wembley Stadium (November 13). We have an enormous, very successful Indian Diaspora in the UK. I think they are absolutely at the heart of this visit. It will be a tremendous celebration of the UK-Indian Diaspora,” she added.

Patel, who took charge as employment minister in the Cameron-led Cabinet after the May elections, said the visit would be a chance for the two countries to take their “special relationship into the modern context in terms of supporting Prime Minister Modi’s vision of economic development”.

“India as a global leader stands tall in the world and we can support India’s global aspirations, whether it’s on employment, on investment or on trade. As two nations we stand together, shoulder to shoulder to meet those shared objectives,” she said.

The Conservative party MP from Witham constituency in the north east of London returned from Turkey this week after her first G20 summit as minister of state for employment.

Among her meetings included a bilateral with her Indian counterpart Bandaru Dattatreya and they collectively signed a pledge to bring down the number of young people “Not in Education, Employment or Training”, or NEETs, by 15 per cent.

“As we have the PM of India coming later this year, we wanted to build a dialogue at the G20 which will facilitate growth and investment in India. There is no doubt when it comes to Make in India, we absolutely are there to support the Indian government.

“Central to that is skills, training and education and we can support India in investing in people. So we see this as a natural collaboration, a natural partnership,” she explained.

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For PM Modi's UK Visit, An 'Unprecedented' Welcome Expected, Say Officials

Prime minister modi, who arrives in the uk on tuesday, is among only three world leaders attending commonwealth heads of government meeting and to be invited for an audience with queen elizabeth ii, officials said..

The 4-day bilateral leg of the UK tour begins with PM Narendra Modi's talks with Theresa May (File)

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What to Know About Modi’s Visit and U.S.-India Relations

The visit has big implications for U.S.-India relations as President Biden seeks to shore up an alliance against Russia’s aggression and China’s economic influence.

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By Victoria Kim

Follow live updates as President Biden hosts Prime Minister Narendra Modi for meetings and a state dinner.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India will receive a lavish welcome on Thursday in Washington, where he will address a joint session of Congress and be feted by President Biden and the first lady in a state dinner at the White House — only the third state leader to be hosted by the current administration.

Swirling around the pageantry of a momentous visit for U.S.-India relations, seen as an affirmation of India’s rise as an economic and diplomatic power, will be weighty questions of geopolitical alignments with regard to China’s economic influence and Russia’s military aggression, as well as the erosion of India’s secular democracy under Mr. Modi. How much if any of that will be publicly addressed by the two leaders is unclear.

The visit is a significant diplomatic prize for Mr. Modi , who was once denied a visa to the United States for his role in religious riots in his home state, and as prime minister has increasingly consolidated power and edged his country closer to one-party rule.

Still, the Biden administration has painstakingly sought to draw India closer, economically and militarily, at the cost of muddling his oft-stated worldview of a pitched battle between autocracies and democracies .

Here is what to know about Mr. Modi’s state visit.

The U.S. is trying to draw India closer.

Announcing Mr. Modi’s state visit, the White House press secretary said the occasion would celebrate “the warm bonds of family and friendship that link Americans and Indians together.” Like his predecessors, Mr. Biden has leaned into the hope that India, the world’s most populous democracy and the fifth-largest economy, will serve as a counterweight to China’s growing global economic heft. Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen last year visited India as part of the administration’s push to shift global supply chains away from its political and economic adversaries.

“New Delhi has a pivotal role to play in checkmating China — if politically nudged, militarily helped and geopolitically encouraged by the U.S. and its allies,” said Happymon Jacob, who teaches Indian foreign policy at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi.

The urgency for improved relations has intensified with Russia’s war on Ukraine, a geopolitical crisis that has placed India at the center of jostling between the United States and its allies and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. India, while fostering closer ties with the United States, has maintained military and economic relations with Russia, buying up Russian oil at a discount and staying away from backing United Nations resolutions that have condemned Russia’s aggression.

Defense cooperation is high on the agenda.

The United States wants to help India bolster its domestic defense industry and increase military cooperation between the two countries in an attempt to wean India off its long dependence on Russia for its weaponry. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III and the national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, each traveled to New Delhi this month ahead of the state visit to lay the groundwork for closer defense partnerships.

A substantial majority of India’s arsenal is estimated to be of Russian origin , the result of a decades-long defense relationship between the two countries at a time when the United States was instead supplying weapons to India’s rival, Pakistan. While the proportion of Russian arms in India’s defense imports has decreased in recent years, the country still remains dependent on Russia for parts and maintenance.

Highlighting increased technological cooperation, military coordination and intelligence sharing between the two countries, Mr. Austin said during his New Delhi visit: “This all matters because we face a rapidly changing world. We see bullying and coercion from the People’s Republic of China, Russian aggression against Ukraine that seeks to redraw borders by force and threatens national sovereignty.”

Modi is accused of undermining democracy.

In hosting Mr. Modi, Mr. Biden will be standing shoulder to shoulder with a leader who is immensely popular in his country but has sidelined challengers , co-opted judicial systems and consolidated power to a degree that has concerned observers and critics about the democratic erosion in the nation that recently surpassed China to become the world’s most populous.

This week, more than 70 Democratic lawmakers urged the president in a letter to raise upholding democratic values and human rights with the Indian prime minister, citing “troubling signs in India toward the shrinking of political space, the rise of religious intolerance, the targeting of civil society organizations and journalists, and growing restrictions on press freedoms and internet access.”

Mr. Modi’s India has become particularly perilous for the nation’s more than 200 million religious minorities, as his right-wing vigilante supporters have fomented religious tensions with the aim of imposing Hindu supremacy on India’s constitutionally secular democracy. That’s led to a perpetual sense of combustibility on the ground, particularly for India’s Muslims.

In March, Rahul Gandhi, India’s best-known opposition leader and Mr. Modi’s chief rival, was convicted on a charge of defamation and sentenced to two years in prison. He filed an appeal and remains free, but the conviction allowed Mr. Modi’s allies to oust him from the country’s Parliament.

Mujib Mashal contributed reporting.

Victoria Kim is a correspondent based in Seoul, focused on international breaking news coverage. More about Victoria Kim

British Indians divided over Modi’s UK visit

While some embrace ‘Modi-mania,’ others are making their strong opposition to the Indian prime minister’s visit felt.

After being banned from entering the UK for 10 years, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a red carpet welcome from the British government and Indian diaspora on Thursday as he began a three-day state visit to the country.

Modi’s itinerary includes lunch with the Queen, addressing parliament and staying at Prime Minister David Cameron’s country estate, Chequers.

But critics have condemned the pomp of Modi’s visit at a time when Indian writers, academics and activists warn of a growing atmosphere of intolerance and intimidation under his leadership in India.

Modi is the third in a string of controversial state leaders to be hosted by Britain in the past two months, following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit last month and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s stay in September.

‘Selfie-diplomacy’

Modi is the first Indian prime minister to visit the UK since 2006, and his visit has polarised opinion among British politicians and the Indian diaspora.

In 2002, an arson attack on a train in Gujarat province, where Modi was chief minister, killed 59 Hindu pilgrims and sparked anti-Muslim pogroms.

Estimates vary, but over the following few months, more than 1,000 people – mostly Muslims – were killed. Women were raped, mosques destroyed and bodies dumped into mass graves.

Modi was accused of turning a blind eye to the killings and the UK, US and EU swiftly cut off diplomatic relations with him.

A decade later, India’s Supreme Court cleared Modi of complicity in the killings – a ruling challenged by some Indian Muslims – but the leader has been criticised for showing a lack of remorse for the tragedy. The ban on Modi visiting the UK was lifted in 2012, soon after the ruling.

Modi, the former regional organiser for the right-wing Hindu group RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), is now prime minister of the world’s largest democracy. His centre-right Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swung into power in May 2014 and has close ties with RSS.

Analysts cite the leader’s clever use of social media as one reason for his rise in popularity, both at home and abroad.

He was the first Indian politician to open a Twitter account and now has nearly 16 million followers, making him the second most followed politician after US President Barack Obama.

The global social reach of 140 characters is partly why many in the Indian diaspora feel closer to Modi than previous Indian leaders – and analysts say that has helped pave the way for a global political platform.

Difference in opinion

In July, 39 MPs signed an Early Day Motion calling on Cameron to raise human rights concerns with Modi during his visit.

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn is a supporter of the motion. It calls for the release of Indian political prisoners, several of whom are on hunger strike, draws attention to human rights abuses in Kashmir, and criticises the Indian government’s ban on the BBC documentary “India’s Daughter,” which covers the gang rape and murder of a young woman in Delhi.

Modi also faces condemnation for stopping Greenpeace activist Priya Pillai from coming to Britain as she was about to board her plane. Pillai was on her way to brief MPs on her work.

In 2013, Corbyn called on the-then coalition government to reinstate a ban on Modi entering the UK. However, the leader of the opposition recently announced his plans to meet with the Indian leader privately on Saturday to discuss human rights.

Celebrating culture and diversity

On Friday afternoon, Modi will address 60,000 people – almost all British Indians – at a grand reception entitled: “Two Great Nations. One Glorious Future” in Wembley Arena.

Guaranteed to cause ‘Modi-mania,’ the cultural event coincides with Diwali and will end with a huge fireworks display.

A ‘Modi Express’ bus has toured iconic landmarks in London for the past month and dozens of the buses will transport ticket holders to and from the arena.

On Thursday, singer-songwriter Navin Kundra tweeted: “Oh My God! I’ll be singing for PM @NarendraModi & 60,000 of you at @WembleyStadium TOMORROW! So excited!!! #ModiInUK”

The event has been organised by Europe India Forum in partnership with 450 organisations.

Businesses and individuals have contributed to the costs, including four Labour MPs, who did not sign the EDM, and are donating their pay rise for November. A 2,000-strong volunteer force will help out on the day.

The event is perhaps a promise of what is to come following Cameron’s announcement that 2017 will be the UK-India Year of Culture.

A blanket for Modi

As the two leaders met on Thursday, two groups of demonstrators gathered outside Downing Street.

About 200 supporters of the Indian prime minister were on one side of a police barricade that separated them from those who had come to protest against his visit.

They waved flags with the Union Jack on one side and the Indian emblem on the other, and shouted: “We love you Modi.”

The number dwindled to about 50 before Modi had left Downing Street but those who remained cheered as he drove past. A Red Arrows flypast displayed the colours of the Indian flag and the London Eye was also lit up in the colours of the flag.

Indian Ladies in the UK (ILU) – an Indian diaspora women’s group – spent a month crocheting a blanket in honour of Modi’s visit.

“Every woman in London’s ILU branch has made a square for the blanket,” said Gayatri Challa. “That’s over 2,000 women. We are sending a message through the blanket – for the protection of the human.

“The blanket is not just for the rights of women in India but for women all over the world. When women are together we can make our mark in a men-centric world.”

The women hope to give the blanket to the Indian leader at Friday’s reception, but bureaucratic red tape may hinder their efforts.

Suresh Mangalagiri is from south India and has lived in London for 14 years. While a protester who had managed to walk the mile or so around police barricades was quickly shooed away by police, Mangalagiri spoke of his support for Modi because he is “a true nationalist and a dynamic leader”.

Mangalagiri thinks those demonstrating against Modi are misguided.

“What happened to the Sikhs [a series of anti-Sikh pogroms that left around 5,000 people dead] was in 1984 when Ghandi’s Congress government were in power,” said Mangalagiri.

“It had nothing to do with Modi. I don’t know why these people [demonstrators outside Downing Street] are against him but 99 percent, 100 percent of Indian citizens are with Modi.” 

Much of the praise for Modi sits within an economic context.

“In Modi’s 10 or 15 years’ tenure in Gujarat he turned it into a developed state,” said Shri Jayu Shah from Friends of India Society International.

“Poverty is one of the biggest human tragedies around the world. India is one-sixth of the global population and to eliminate poverty you need commerce and industry, as chief minister, Modi achieved both.

“What he did in Gujarat he will replicate around India. India will become the next superpower within 20 years.”

Shah believes there is a vendetta against Modi. “The Supreme Court of India has declared him not guilty. The media is carrying out a vendetta but if you believe in democracy, in independent judiciary and in free press you should call it a day.

“You can’t continue and abuse somebody because you do not like them.”

Adding that he is “a capitalist, and proud of it,” the Londoner said that Modi has grasped the problems of the poor people of India. “Eighteen months in and the Indian leader is delivering the goods.”

‘Modi Not Welcome’

But dissident voices from the Indian diaspora are refusing to be quiet.

On November 8, Awaaz Network activists projected a picture of the Indian prime minister alongside a swastika onto the Houses of Parliament, angering Modi supporters around the world.

Two days later, tweeters against Modi’s visit participated in a Twitter hour, with the hashtag #modinotwelcome.

The Awaaz Network is an alliance of organisations involved in the #ModiNotWelcome campaign.

It includes the groups Sikh Federation UK, Caste Watch UK, Southall Black Sisters, Indian Muslim Federation and Voice of Dalit International.

More than 800 protesters, community members and women’s rights groups gathered outside 10 Downing Street and opposite the Houses of Parliament on Thursday.

Chants of “Free Palestine” could be heard among others, such as “Modi is a terrorist.”

“We are at this demonstration today to protest against Modi and the Indian government for their illegal occupation of Kashmir and the massacre of our people,” said Najib Afsar, the chief coordinator for Jammu Kashmir Liberation Council.

“I’ve been living in England for over 40 years but my heart and soul is in Kashmir. The suffering of our people we cannot bear. We will continue to challenge it and we will achieve our freedom.”

Nepali Santosh Kharel and Rakash Sapkota were there to protest against what they see as a blockade of Nepal by the Indian government.

“Nepalis have suffered from an earthquake recently and now they are suffering more with Modi’s blockades,” explained Kharel. “We are here to protest against him and his and his government’s attitudes towards us.”

Both demonstrators urged Modi fans to instead join them in calling for their rights. “We are here to wake up the people. They should be supporting us,” said Sapkota.

Money matters

Raj Singh is a member of the World Sikh organisation and was one of the few in the crowd who is ambivalent about Modi’s visit.

“People are taking this seriously because in other countries they might not be able to protest like this,” he said.

“The UK government’s done a good job in planning for his visit. People on all sides get a bite of the cherry then can go home.”

Sikh Mindy Kawr was born in Punjab, India, but came to the UK when she was 18 months old.

“Modi’s government is treating us like second-class citizens. They’re not recognising the Sikhs; they say there’s no such thing as Sikhs,” she said.

“We want justice and we want people to know that what happened was genocide.

“Should Modi be receiving this type of reception?” Kawr rolled her eyes.

“It’s disgusting,” she said. “It is only because he’s got power and Britain wants business with India that he’s here. They are not looking at human beings, they’re looking at money.”

The two leaders announced more than 20 business deals worth $13.7bn between the two countries following their meeting on Thursday.

Like the MPs donating November’s pay rise to help fund Modi’s grand reception, there may be more gestures of friendship towards Modi and the BJP as the relationship between the two countries grows increasingly profitable in the years to come.

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Visit of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to India

The Rt Hon’ble Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is on an official visit to India from 21-22 April 2022, on the invitation of the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. This is his first visit to India as Prime Minister of UK.

2. Prime Minister Johnson was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on 22 April, 2022, where he was received by Prime Minister Modi. PM Johnson later visited Raj Ghat to lay a wreath and pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

3. Prime Minister Modi held bilateral consultations with the visiting Prime Minister at Hyderabad House and also hosted a banquet in his honour. Earlier, External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, called on the UK Prime Minister.

4. In the bilateral talks, the two Prime Ministers appreciated the progress made on the Roadmap 2030 launched at the Virtual Summit in May 2021 and reiterated their commitment to pursue a more robust and action oriented cooperation across the full spectrum of bilateral relations. They appreciated the progress in ongoing FTA negotiations and implementation of the Enhanced Trade Partnership and agreed to conclude a comprehensive and balanced trade deal by the end October 2022. The FTA would pave the way for doubling of bilateral trade by 2030.

5. Both leaders agreed to transform defence and security cooperation as a key element of India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussed opportunities for defence collaboration including on co-development and co-production for meeting the needs of Armed Forces of both the countries. Both sides issued a Joint Statement for further intensifying cooperation on Cyber Security particularly in the areas of cyber governance, cyber deterrence and safeguarding critical national infrastructure. They also agreed to closely cooperate on countering the persistent threat of terrorism and radical extremism.

6. Both Prime Ministers also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest including cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, Afghanistan, UNSC, G20 and Commonwealth. India welcomed the UK joining Indo-Pacific Ocean’s Initiative under Maritime Security pillar and agreed to enhance engagements in the Indo-Pacific region.

7. The two leaders also discussed the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict. Prime Minister Modi expressed deep concern at the mounting humanitarian crisis and reiterated his call for immediate cessation of violence and return to direct dialogue and diplomacy as the only way forward.

8. PM Modi congratulated Prime Minister Johnson for successful organization of COP26 last year. They reiterated commitment to ambitious climate action to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and in implementing the Glasgow Climate Pact. They agreed to enhance cooperation on rapid deployment of clean energy including off-shore wind energy and green hydrogen and work closely for early operationalisation of the Global Green Grids-One Sun One World One Grid Initiative (OSOWOG) under ISA and the IRIS platform under CDRI which were jointly launched by India and UK at COP26.

9. Two MoUs on implementation of India-UK Global Innovation Partnership and on the Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP) were exchanged during the visit. Through the Global Innovation Partnership, India and UK have agreed to co-finance up to £ 75 million to support the transfer and scale up of climate smart sustainable innovations to third countries. The novel GIP Fund created under this Partnership will also aim to raise additional £ 100 million from the market to support Indian innovations.

10. The following announcements were also made - (I) Strategic Tech Dialogue – Ministerial-level dialogue on new and emerging communication technologies such as 5G, AI etc. (II) Collaboration on Integrated Electric Propulsion – Co-development of technology between the two Navies.

11. Prime Minister Johnson had earlier on April 21 started his visit from Ahmedabad, Gujarat where he visited Sabarmati Ashram, JCB plant at Maswad Industrial Estate, Vadodara, and the Gujarat Biotechnology University in GIFT City, Gandhinagar.

12. Prime Minister Modi invited Prime Minister Johnson to India in 2023 for G20 Summit under India’s Presidency. Prime Minister Johnson reiterated his invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit UK. Prime Minister Modi accepted the invitation.

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Indians Celebrate Inclusive and Holistic Development with PM Modi’s Vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'

Thank you PM @narendramodi for leading India towards robust economic growth. Deloitte's upward revision of GDP forecast for FY24 to 7.6-7.8% is a testament to your effective policies. The consistent upward trends across multiple global agencies underscore India's positive outlook pic.twitter.com/Jhke6FWkWt — Prerna Sharma (@PrernaS99946384) April 27, 2024

India is making big strides,in development&progress.Aftr @narendramodi meticulously carrying out multiple structural reforms,India has become investor friendly nation,in d wrld. Thanks 2him, we are d most sought aftr destination 4Foreign capital investment pic.twitter.com/mQa2jth3PB — Rukmani Varma 🇮🇳 (Modi Ka Parivar) (@pointponder) April 27, 2024

A Pakistani teen's heartfelt thanks to PM @narendramodi 's government for a successful heart transplant in Chennai. The mother expressed gratitude, noting they came to India without money and found hope. A touching example of India's compassion and cross-border humanity. pic.twitter.com/0A7x3ZFzu0 — Raman Narwal (@Amanvat78694527) April 27, 2024

Encouraging news: Tier 2,3 cities witness a 30% surge in job demand in the BFSI sector, indicating growing opportunities beyond metros. Kudos to #PMModi 's government for fostering economic inclusivity and creating avenues for employment in every corner of our nation! pic.twitter.com/H68AnvqJrX — Manika Rawat (@manikarawa46306) April 27, 2024

PM @narendramodi Ji #GoGreen 🌳 #MissionZeroScrap Indian Railways targets raking in Rs 5,400 crore from scrap sale Disposal of scrap not only improves financial efficiency, but also aids optimisation ♻️ of space https://t.co/TkMlsabctX @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/W2GgWiLt4f — Zahid Patka (Modi Ka Parivar) (@zahidpatka) April 27, 2024

The successful completion of the Rs 18,000 cr FPO marks the beginning of Vodafone Idea 2.0, which will stage a 'smart turnaround', Kumar Mangalam Birla praised PM Modi for a conducive policy environment which encourages investment, innovation & competition https://t.co/a4qbagdzPP pic.twitter.com/Ch9UkS7CAI — दिनेश चावला (मोदी का परिवार) (@iDineshChawlaa) April 27, 2024

Good news from NIPFP! Government's capex push poised to drive #GDP growth to 7.1-7.4% in FY25. Kudos to PM Modi for his proactive measures towards economic development! 🌟 #GDPgrowth #IndiaEconomy #PMModi https://t.co/muDzY2iAMN — Shivam Sharma (@upshivamsharma) April 27, 2024

Thank you, PM @narendramodi , for supporting India's agricultural sector! Exports of high-quality basmati rice grew by 22% to $5.2 billion during April 2023-February 2024, driven by strong demand, especially from West Asia. pic.twitter.com/eLll11XP2s — Kamal Sharma (@Mansharma01) April 27, 2024

Thanks to PM @narendramodi and Telecom Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw for creating a policy environment that boosts investment and innovation. The successful Rs 18,000 crore FPO for Vodafone Idea marks the start of Vodafone Idea 2.0, signaling a smart turnaround for the telecom sector pic.twitter.com/jt2BEwXOBb — JeeT (@SubhojeetD999) April 27, 2024

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson's visit to India, April 2022: UK-India joint statements

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed a joint statement: 'Towards shared security and prosperity through national resilience'.

UK-India joint statement April 2022: Towards shared security and prosperity through national resilience

India-uk cyber statement, april 2022.

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, made an official visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi on 21 to 22 April 2022. The Prime Ministers:

• agreed a joint statement, ‘ Towards shared security and prosperity through national resilience ’
• reviewed progress on the ambitious India-UK Roadmap to 2030 (April 2021)
• resolved to advance the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreed in 2021

This page provides the joint statement following their meeting on 22 April 2022, and a separate UK-India joint cyber statement.

Read more about the Prime Minister’s visit to India .

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India's Modi reported to Electoral Commission after referring to Muslims as 'infiltrators' during campaign speech

Narendra Modi, a Hindu nationalist seeking to be re-elected as India's prime minister for a third term, has repeatedly faced accusations of discriminating against Muslims, which he denies.

By Claire Gilbody Dickerson, news reporter

Monday 22 April 2024 19:57, UK

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing a widespread backlash after referring to Muslims as "infiltrators" during a campaign speech over the weekend. 

Congress, the main opposition party to Mr Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Monday reported the prime minister's "deeply objectionable" comments to the Election Commission, saying they violated electoral law.

The comments were made by the Hindu nationalist leader, who is seeking a rare third consecutive term since first being elected in 2014 , during a speech on Sunday - just days after India's mammoth, seven-week election kicked off.

Almost a billion people across 21 states and territories are expected to cast their vote in the next 40 days, with results due on 4 June.

In his speech, Mr Modi said the Congress election manifesto promised to confiscate and redistribute the wealth of Indians, which it denies.

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Mr Modi said if the party adhered to remarks in 2006 of then Congress Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that minority Muslims should have the "first claim on resources" to share in the fruits of development, then wealth would be distributed to "infiltrators" and those who have "more children".

Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said Mr Modi's "deeply objectionable" statement violated sections of the law that prohibits candidates from asking people to vote or refrain from voting for anyone on the grounds of "religion", "community" or "religious symbols".

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He said he wanted the Electoral Commission "to state that this is the position in law".

Mr Modi's government has repeatedly been accused of discrimination against Muslims, with civil society, opposition groups, and some foreign governments raising concerns over decisions they say are aimed at fanning discrimination and keeping the BJP in power.

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The government has denied all accusations, and Mr Modi has said he works for the betterment of all, including India's 200 million Muslims, who make up the world's third-largest Muslim population.

Mr Modi has promised a bright economic future for all - but many Muslims are yet to be convinced.

Voter Abdul, 56, said: "Earlier we used to live together, today we are all apart. Now elections are based on religion. This is wrong."

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