The Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi in a group photograph after paying homage at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, outside the UK Parliament, in London on November 12, 2015.
Pays Homage At Gandhi Statue In Parliament Square, London
London (PIB-GR-TYP-BIN): The Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, arrived in London on November 12. He was accorded a guard of honour and an official welcome by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mr. David Cameron.
The Prime Minister held delegation-level talks with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. During his press statement after the talks, the Prime Minister said that he is delighted to visit the United Kingdom.
Speaking in Hindi, the Prime Minister said: “This is a relationship of immense importance to us. The familiarity of history, the extraordinary people-to-people ties and our shared values give it a special character. We also have vibrant and growing partnerships across all areas – trade and investment, defense and security, science and education, clean energy and health, technology and innovation, and culture. We have a broad range of shared interests at the international level that are vital to both countries.
We have agreed to intensify our political dialogue and hold regular bilateral summits. We have decided to turn our shared values into a partnership to support development in other regions of the world. And, we have committed to deepen cooperation across all areas.
The conclusion of the civil nuclear agreement is a symbol of our mutual trust and our resolve to combat climate change. The agreement for cooperation in India’s Global Centre for Clean Energy Partnerships will strengthen safety and security in the global nuclear industry.
We attach great value to defense and security cooperation with UK, including regular exercises and defense trade and collaboration. This cooperation will grow. I am also pleased that UK will participate in the International Fleet Review in India in February 2016. UK will also be a strong partner in India’s defense modernization plans, including our Make in India mission in defense sector.
Our economic partnership is quite robust and a key pillar of our partnership. I expressed confidence that this relationship grow rapidly in the years ahead, given the size and scale of opportunities in a rapidly expanding India and Britain’s own formidable economic strengths. UK is already the third largest investor in India. There is more investment from India in UK than in rest of European Union combined. We will launch a new fast track mechanism for UK investments in India. The revival of India-UK CEO Forum is a welcome step.
We will also increasingly raise funds in London’s financial market. I am pleased, but also believe it is natural, that we will issue a Railways Rupee Bond in London. This is where the journey of Indian Railways began.”
In the course of his interaction with media after the Joint Press Statement, the Prime Minister said India cannot tolerate any incident which violates the fundamental values of society. He said India is a vibrant democracy which is committed to protection of individual rights under the Constitution.
The Prime Minister paid homage at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Parliament Square. The iconic London landmarks of Tower Bridge and London Eye were draped in the colours of India – saffron, white and green. Prime Minister Cameron hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a private dinner at Chequers, his country-house retreat.
(Source: PIB/GR/TYP/BIN/USPA/WN)