As Prime Minister embarked on a three-day visit to Britain on Thursday, New Delhi and London signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement after the two sides held delegation level talks here.
“The conclusion of the civil nuclear agreement is a symbol of our mutual trust and our resolve to combat climate change,” Modi said while issuing a joint statement along with British Premier David Cameron.
“The agreement for cooperation in India’s Global Centre for Clean Energy Partnerships will strengthen safety and security in the global nuclear industry,” he said.
Modi said India attached great value to defence and security cooperation with Britain, including regular exercises and defence 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 defence modernization plans, including our 'Make in India' mission in defence sector,” the Indian prime minister said.
He said the economic partnership between the two countries was 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,” Modi said.
Stating that Britain was already the third largest investor in India, he said there was more investment from India in Britain than in rest of the European Union combined.
Modi expressed happiness with the progress in the cooperation between the two countries in clean energy and climate change, involving the governments and the private sector.
“This is an area of immense importance and enormous opportunities. Our bilateral cooperation will supplement India’s comprehensive and ambitious national plan on climate change,” he said.
According to the Indian prime minister, the partnership between the two countries includes peace and stability in Asia, especially in South Asia and West Asia, maritime security, cyber security, and terrorism and extremism.
He also thanked Cameron for the strong British support for India’s permanent membership of the UN Security Council and membership in the international export control regimes.
On his part, Cameron said that as the oldest and largest democracies, India and Britain were natural partners.
He said Britain and India would build stronger economic, defence and global partnerships.
He expressed strong support from Britain for India's claim to permanent membership in the UN Security Council.
Modi also said that India would never tolerate intolerance. Asked about sectarian strife in India, he told the media that the Indian authorities will "take strict action against those who indulge in such (violent) acts".
"India will not tolerate intolerance," he said, adding that India was the land of Lord Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi.
"We are a democracy and committed to freedom of speech," he said. "We are not an intolerant society."
Without naming Pakistan, Modi said countries promoting terrorism must be isolated.
Terrorism was not a matter confronting just two or three countries, he said and noted that the scourge terrorism has spread so much today that it respects no borders.
Modi said humanity has to unite against terrorism and "those who promote terrorism should be isolated".
Prior to the official talks, the Indian prime minister was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour at the Treasury Quadrangle on King Charles Street here.
Modi also met members of the Sikh community in Britain before beginning his official engagements.
“The UK visit begins with a meeting with the Sikh community in London,” the PMO India said in a tweet.
Modi was earlier received at Heathrow international airport, among others, by British Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire, British High Commissioner to India James David Evan, Indian High Commissioner to Britain Ranjan Mathai, and British Minister of State for Employment Priti Patel, who is of Indian origin.
Following the delegation level talks, he paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue at the Parliament Square here.
“Paying homage to the Mahatma. PM @narendramodi and PM @David_Cameron at the Gandhi statue,” the Prime Minister's Office India tweeted after Modi laid floral tributes at the statue.
A fly-past by the Red Arrows, the aerobatics display team of the Royal Air Force, with the Indian colours marked the event.
In a historic first, Modi also addressed the British Parliament. Later, he would visit the Guildhall where he is scheduled to address the City of London.
The first day of Modi's visit was marred by protests staged by groups opposed to him. Pictures on Twitter showed people gathered at Downing Street, holding placards criticising Modi.
One picture showed a group of Sikhs holding black flags.
UK is screaming #ModiNotWelcome pic.twitter.com/TCUpUxe7TL
— Aarti (@aartic02) November 12, 2015
MODI MEETS SIKHS IN LONDON
Visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met with members of the Sikh community living in London ahead of his formal talks with the British leadership.
"The UK visit begins with a meeting with the Sikh community in London," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted on Thursday.
"Deepening diaspora linkages. Before formal engagements, PM finds time to meet members of the Punjabi community," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.
Modi, on a three-day visit to Britain, will sign a number of pacts on mutual investments and defence cooperation. He would also address British parliament later in the day.
INDIA WON'T TOLERATE INTOLERANCE, SAYS MODI
India will never tolerate intolerance as it is the land of Lord Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Thursday.
Asked about allegations of rising intolerance in India, Modi also promised to take "strict action" against those who indulged in acts of violence.
.@rafredarrows flypast over Westminster to mark #ModiInUK https://t.co/GlXF033lj8
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) November 12, 2015
"India will not tolerate intolerance," he told a press conference he addressed along with British Prime Minister David Cameron.
India, he said, was the land of Lord Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi.
Modi's comments follow widespread condemnation of the September 28 killing of a Muslim man at Dadri in Uttar Pradesh over rumours that he ate beef.
The issue was played up in a major way in the just ended Bihar assembly elections which Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) badly lost.
Proud & emotional moment for me…with certificate of Shyamji Krishna Varma's reinstation at Inner Temple. pic.twitter.com/GfvoIaNq1r
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2015
Modi, who arrived here on a three-day visit, said the Indian authorities would "take strict action against those who indulge in such (violent) acts".
"We are a democracy and committed to freedom of speech," he said. "We are not an intolerant society."
India won't tolerate any incident of bigotry, however small, Modi said.
A host of writers, artistes and film makers have in recent weeks returned their national awards in protest against what they say is rising intolerance, at times leading to murder.
NRIS HAIL MODI'S UK TRIP
Prominent NRIs based in Britain have welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-day visit to that country beginning Thursday, a statement issued here said on Wednesday.
PM welcomes @narendramodi to No10 at start of his two-day visit #modiInUK pic.twitter.com/SEnpaTco8N
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) November 12, 2015
G.P. Hinduja, co-chairman of the multi-billion dollar transnational conglomerate Hinduja Group, said Modi's visit will "boost bilateral trade and investment between the two countries".
Mumbai-born British lawyer and the first Asian to set up a law firm in London, Sarosh Zaiwalla said the two countries enjoy a strong bond in economic cooperation, rule of law and relatively free movement of labour.
"Much to the excitement of the (Indian) community, this relationship is set to be celebrated and renewed when Modi lands here tomorrow (Thursday)," Zaiwalla noted.
Indian founder and CEO of UK-based companies RationalFX and Xendpay, Rajesh Agrawal said this is the time to "celebrate the great talents of the Indian community and the benefits they bring to the UK, both economically and socially".
Welcome to the UK @narendramodi from Britain's Indian community #ModiInUK https://t.co/5hrlplmx4Q
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) November 12, 2015
"If the success of the British-Indian community is anything to go by, then the government must recognise that we should not close our doors to such a rich resource of labour if we want to compete in the world market in the long term," Agrawal said.
Founder-CEO of Sun Global Investments Mihir Kapadia said Modi's visit affords London's financial services sector a unique opportunity to cement ties with the world's fastest growing economy.
"British companies must work together with their Indian counterparts to take advantage of the liberalisation of the Indian economy... they should be confident that an investment in India will not go unrewarded," Kapadia said.
Leading a high-level delegation, Modi embarks on his first visit to the UK begining November 12, where his engagements include a visit to the Ambedkar House and the Jaguar Land Rover plant in Solihull, taken over by the Tata Group since 2008 and ranked the largest investment by an Indian company in the UK.
MODI WOOS BRITISH INVESTORS TO INDIA
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday invited British investors to invest in India, which he said has become a easy and simple place to do business.
"We have worked aggressively to make India an easy and simple place to do business," Modi said, addressing the City of London at the Old Library in Guildhall on the first day of his three-day visit to Britain.
Interacted with the Punjabi community in London. We exchanged thoughts on various issues. pic.twitter.com/ZVJfpOO97O
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2015
"There is significant potential for India and the UK to further strengthen their economic ties," he said.
"The hallmark of our strategy now is policy-driven governance," he said, adding that India was one of the most open countries for foreign investments.
Earlier in the day, India and Britain signed a civil nuclear agreement following delegation-level talks between the two sides.
After this, Modi addressed a joint session of the British parliament, becoming the first Indian prime minister to do so.
INDIA IS NEW BRIGHT SPOT OF HOPE: MODI TELLS BRITISH PARLIAMENT
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India was the new bright spot of hope and opportunity as he referred to opportunities in sectors such as defence, trade, housing, services, energy and environment to make the bilateral relationship with Britain count as one of the leading global partnerships.
Productive & extensive discussions with PM @David_Cameron on India-UK ties & global issues. pic.twitter.com/3E5uM9Agvi
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2015
In his address to the British parliament -- the first by an Indian prime minister -- Modi dwelled on history, shared expressions of joy and the desire on two sides to transform the strategic partnership.
Dressed in a bandhgala, Modi received a standing ovation and thunderous applause at the end of his speech which was heard with rapt attention.
Modi talked of "winds of change", "boldness and speed in decisions", accountability in governance and his government's commitment to individual liberties.
My speech at the British Parliament focussed on the strong future of India-UK ties & its many benefits. https://t.co/wCMnycqb7y
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2015
"India is the new bright spot of hope and opportunity for the world. It is not just the universal judgment of international institutions. It is not just the logic of numbers: a nation of 1.25 billion people with 800 million under the age of 35 years," Modi said.
Without taking any names, Modi said there should be attempt to isolate those who harbour terrorists and willingness to stand by those who fight them honestly.
Modi said India's momentum does not come only from its growth rate, which had increased to 7.5 percent per year, but transformation it seeks in quality of life of every Indian.
"Much of India that we dream of still lies ahead of us: housing, power, water and sanitation for all; bank accounts and insurance for every citizen; connected and prosperous villages; and, smart and sustainable cities. These are goals with a definite date, not just a mirage of hope.
"And, inspired by Gandhiji, the change has begun with us -- the way the government works. There is transparency and accountability in governance. There is boldness and speed in decisions," he added.
He said so much of India's history had been written in the British parliament building.
"Many freedom fighters of India found their calling in the institutions of Britain. And, many makers of modern India, including several of my distinguished predecessors, from Jawaharlal Nehru to Dr. Manmohan Singh, passed through their doors," he said.
"I stand here today, not as a visiting head of Government, given the honour to speak in this temple of democracy. I am here as a representative of a fellow institution and a shared tradition," Modi said.
Some of his remarks led to a smile on the face of British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Referring to his upcoming speech at the Wembley stadium on Friday, Modi said it will be celebration of one-and-half-million threads of life that bind the two countries.
"It will be an expression of joy for all that we share: values, institutions, political system, sports, culture and art. And, it will be a recognition of our vibrant partnerships and a shared future."
Referring to Tata as the largest private sector employer in Britain, he said India and Britain were two strong economies and two innovative societies.
On his government's initiatives, Modi said manufacturing and farm sectors were getting a boost, services were getting efficient, youth were being imparted global skills, a revolution was sought to be created in startup enterprises, next generation infrastructure was being built and there was thrust towards digital India.
He said India will open new doors in the services sector.
Modi referred to federalism as the definition of new partnership of Team India and said businesses find an environment which was easy to work in.
He said "Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas" was his government's vision of a nation, in which every citizen belongs, participates and prospers.
He said it was a call for financial inclusion as also celebration of diversity; the need for social harmony; and a commitment to individual liberties and rights.
"This is the timeless ethos of our culture; this is the basis of our constitution; and, this will be the foundation of our future, said Modi whose government has battled allegations of intolerance from some political parties.
Modi invited Britain to join as an valuable partner in the International Solar Alliance he would launch in Paris later this month.
Recalling the work of B.R. Ambedkar, Modi said he was not only the architect of India's Constitution but also "lifted us all to higher cause in services of humanity."
He also mentioned Mahatma Gandhi's statue outside the British parliament, saying India and Britain were "both fortunate enough" to have been touched by Gandhi's life and mission.
