Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'A new era in Indo-British relations' that was published in Newsband

A new era in Indo-British relations

Till now Narendra Modi has visited about 30 countries as Prime Minister. But in London’s Wembley event, an estimated 50,000 non-resident Indians (NRIs) and other Indians braved the cold to listen to him speak during his visit to the United Kingdom. This is the best part of his foreign visits.

Modi invoked the common threads between the two countries. The two sides made little visible progress on strategic and defence issues, but the biggest takeaway from the joint statements came from the enhanced language on fighting terror groups, naming the LeT and Hizbul Mujahideen for the first time, jointly pushing for the UN comprehensive convention on international terrorism (CCIT), and strengthening strategic cooperation and intelligence-sharing through annual consultations.

India has become stronger by the day for over a decade. Its capacity has increased to invest into Europe - largest in the United Kingdom. According to UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), a British government department, India is now the third-largest source of foreign direct investment into the UK. In 2014 alone, investment from India into the UK increased by 64% and is now almost level with France, the UK’s second-largest investor after the US. Throughout last year, India invested in 122 projects in the UK, compared with 124 in France and 564 in the US. This meant that Indian investment created 7,730 new UK jobs in 2014, and safeguarded a further 1,620. Those who invest in developing nations are at least likely to recover their money by investing in India! Yet, against the trend, Narendra Modi is keen for India to secure more overseas investment.

Manmohan government in 2010 had let loose an orgy of plunder and corruption that nearly made the nation sink. Modi is patiently reviving and raising the drowned nation, in spite of the constant obstructions by the Congress

Indian citizens irrespective of their religion have had and enjoyed all the benefits of the economic development of the country brought about by successive governments in the country which includes those led by the BJP. The Indian media's efforts to paint the Governments led by the BJP with a communal brush is not likely to be appreciated by the people of this country.

Thus this was a crucial step taken by Modi to take India-UK relation to a new level. Apart from signing deals and bilateral agreements there are many things above diplomatic relations which Modi had done in UK. He not only won the hearts of NRIs at Wembley Stadium but also UK citizens. This visit might start a new era between two countries relations.