BackIndia committed to stronger ties with UK, Narendra Modi tells Theresa May
PM Modi congratulated Theresa May on the assumption of her new responsibility as British prime minister
Premium
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined India’s commitment to further strengthening the strategic partnership between India and the UK in a post-Brexit world, during a telephone conversation on Wednesday with his new British counterpart Theresa May.
According to an Indian foreign office read-out of the conversation that took place late on Tuesday, Modi congratulated May on the assumption of her new responsibility.
“Prime Minister Modi recalled his memorable visit to the UK last November," the statement said, adding that Modi also appreciated the UK’s “consistent support to India in various global fora".
In response, May thanked Modi and said she looked forward to “working closely with the Prime Minister for developing stronger bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation in tackling pressing global challenges," the Indian statement said.
The call came during a visit to India by Alok Sharma, the minister for Asia and the Pacific in the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Sharma is the first minister from May’s cabinet to come calling after the new British government was installed on 13 July. May, a former home secretary, replaced David Cameron after the 23 June referendum by which Britain decided to exit the European Union. Cameron, who opposed Brexit, announced his decision to step down soon after.
The main message from Sharma—who met a number of Indian ministers and officials in New Delhi during his two-day stay—was that Britain is open for business and will remain so in the future.
“At this time of impending change, I hope I have demonstrated that some things stay the same... UK is open and welcoming and will remain open and welcoming—a land of opportunity," Sharma said at a reception organised by British high commissioner Dominic Asquith in New Delhi on Monday.
“India has always mattered to the UK... The decision of Britain to leave the EU does not restrict the relationship between India and the UK... Indeed it provides an opportunity to strengthen it further," Sharma said.
Sharma’s comments come amid doubts over immigration and business links, given that Britain had voted to stay out of the EU demanding tighter immigration controls and a greater say in its own affairs. May, like Cameron, opposed Brexit.
In India, May is known for having taken several steps to squeeze the number of Indian students and tourists travelling to the UK.
In 2013, May as home secretary was seen as responsible for including India in a list of five countries whose citizens were to be subjected to a visa bond of £3,000 to be refunded after they returned to their countries. The scheme was later dropped after protests from India.
A year earlier, in April 2012, May was seen as having a hand in closing the post-study work visa, which was popular among self-financing Indian students.
Thousands of Indian students travel to Britain each year for higher education and May’s assuming the office of prime minister has spawned numerous news reports in India about possible further immigration restrictions.
Besides immigration, there were also question marks over the future of those Indian businesses that have been using Britain as a “gateway" to Europe. Many Indian companies had made London their headquarters as they sought to deepen ties with Europe.
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