A decade after riots, Britain warms to Narendra Modi

The British government Thursday asked its high commissioner in India, James Bevan, to visit Gujarat and meet Chief Minister Narendra Modi, London's first political contact with the state government since the riots of 2002.

The UK had been among the leaders of the international criticism of the Modi government after the riots. Three British high commissioners who served in New Delhi over the past 10 years did not engage with the state.

British Foreign Office minister in-charge of India, Hugo Swire, said in London, "I have asked the British high commissioner in New Delhi to visit Gujarat and to meet the chief minister and other senior figures in the state.

"This will allow us to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest and to explore opportunities for closer cooperation, in line with the British government's stated objective of improving bilateral relations with India."

In the evening, Modi tweeted, "Der Aaye Durasta Aaye!! I welcome UK Govt's step for active engagement & strengthening relations with Guj. God is Great", and "Getting many messages of pride & joy from Indian diaspora, especially Gujaratis in London & all over the world. Thanks for your affection!"

Sources in the British High Commission told The Indian Express that London had been actively thinking about changing its position on the Modi government in the "last three months", and that the change of stance had been guided by three main factors.

First, London wanted to "widen and deepen" its relationship across Indian states, and had to find a way to tackle the "exceptional situation" in regard to Gujarat.

Second, the UK was attracted to "dynamic and thriving" opportunities in Gujarat, including potential in "business", "science" and "education". But it could not have hoped to make progress without contact with the administration at the highest levels.

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