Narendra Modi pulls off diplomatic coup, gets UK Gujarat 'boycott' revoked
Ending a 10-year boycott of Narendra Modi imposed after the 2002 riots, the UK today said it has decided to resume engagement with Gujarat, prompting the Chief Minister to welcome the move as "better late than never".
The British government has asked its envoy to India, James Bevan, to visit Gujarat and meet Modi and other senior figures in the state to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest, explore opportunities for closer cooperation and secure "justice for the families of the British nationals killed in 2002."
"Der Aaye Durasta Aaye (Better late than never)!! I welcome UK Govt's step for active engagement & strengthening relations with Gujarat. God is Great," Modi tweeted, reacting to Britain's Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire's statement.
Earlier in a statement here, Swire said he has asked the British High Commissioner in New Delhi to visit Gujarat.
"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 ties with India, he said.
"The UK has a broad range of interests in Gujarat. We want to secure justice for the families of the British nationals who were killed in 2002. We want to support human rights and good governance in the state.
"We also want to provide the best possible support to British nationals who live in, work in or visit Gujarat; and to the many Gujaratis who now make up one of the most successful and dynamic
