Britain rolled out the red carpet for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is due to address the British parliament and have lunch with Queen Elizabeth II during a two-day official visit that began yesterday.
Modi is being treated to full British pomp on a trip that comes amid rising troubles for him at home, where economic growth is slowing and political criticism is growing.
He was welcomed with military ceremony, held talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron and addressed parliament yesterday. Today, he is to lunch with the queen and hold a glitzy rally, complete with fireworks, for thousands of supporters at London’s Wembley Stadium.
Sikh groups and human rights activists plan to protest appearances by Modi, a Hindu nationalist who has been accused of failing to stop growing religious intolerance and violence in India.
India and Britain have close and complex ties dating back to Britain’s time as colonial ruler until the mid-20th century. Nowadays, Britain is eager for more access to India’s fast-growing economy and market of 1.3 billion people.
Indian firms have also made major investments in Britain, including Tata Motors’ ownership of automaker Jaguar Land Rover.
Cameron’s Downing Street office yesterday said that the two countries expected to sign billions of pounds’ worth of commercial deals during Modi’s visit, including a plan for London’s financial district to become a center of offshore rupee bonds.
“This isn’t just a historic visit; it’s a historic opportunity,” Cameron said, calling India and Britain “two countries tied by history, people and values.”
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