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Modi visit 'historic opportunity' for UK and India Modi visit 'historic opportunity' for UK and India
(about 1 hour later)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK is "a historic opportunity" for Britain and India, David Cameron has said. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-day visit to the UK is "a historic opportunity" for Britain and India, David Cameron has said.
The first day of the visit is being marked by a Red Arrows flypast before Mr Modi makes a speech to Parliament.The first day of the visit is being marked by a Red Arrows flypast before Mr Modi makes a speech to Parliament.
Also during the trip, he will meet the Queen, visit a statue of Mahatma Gandhi and address crowds at Wembley Stadium.Also during the trip, he will meet the Queen, visit a statue of Mahatma Gandhi and address crowds at Wembley Stadium.
The visit comes at an unsettled time in India amid concerns over a rise in religious intolerance.The visit comes at an unsettled time in India amid concerns over a rise in religious intolerance.
Mr Cameron said: "It's an opportunity for two countries, tied by history, people and values, to work together to overcome the biggest challenges of our age.Mr Cameron said: "It's an opportunity for two countries, tied by history, people and values, to work together to overcome the biggest challenges of our age.
"Prime Minister Modi and I intend to grab that opportunity with both hands.""Prime Minister Modi and I intend to grab that opportunity with both hands."
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Mr Modi said the aim of the visit was to strengthen "co-operation with a traditional friend".Mr Modi said the aim of the visit was to strengthen "co-operation with a traditional friend".
On arrival he tweeted: "Reached London. India-UK ties will receive a great impetus. Will attend a wide range of programmes in UK."On arrival he tweeted: "Reached London. India-UK ties will receive a great impetus. Will attend a wide range of programmes in UK."
BBC News correspondent Christian Fraser said India's growing economy was "crucially important to British industry and trade".BBC News correspondent Christian Fraser said India's growing economy was "crucially important to British industry and trade".
"We're told that around £10bn worth of trade deals will be signed over the course of the next two days," he added."We're told that around £10bn worth of trade deals will be signed over the course of the next two days," he added.
Downing Street protests
The visit comes at an unsettled time in India, where Mr Modi's Hindu-nationalist party lost a recent regional election.The visit comes at an unsettled time in India, where Mr Modi's Hindu-nationalist party lost a recent regional election.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) suffered the defeat in the northern Indian state of Bihar, amid concerns over a rise in religious intolerance in India.The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) suffered the defeat in the northern Indian state of Bihar, amid concerns over a rise in religious intolerance in India.
His supporters will hope his visit will help him spring back from that defeat.His supporters will hope his visit will help him spring back from that defeat.
Why the UK visit is designed to dazzle ModiWhy the UK visit is designed to dazzle Modi
India sends a message on talented migrantsIndia sends a message on talented migrants
Why British Sikhs are calling for a 'black Diwali'Why British Sikhs are calling for a 'black Diwali'
The links between the UK and India How close are UK and India relations?
But protests are planned outside Downing Street with opponents dressing all in white, the colour of mourning in India. But protesters gathered outside Downing Street, criticising Mr Modi over a number of issues including claims of religious persecution, and interference in Nepal.
Campaigners from the UK-based Awaaz Network say they are against Mr Modi's "violent authoritarian agenda that seeks to undermine India's democratic and secular fabric".Campaigners from the UK-based Awaaz Network say they are against Mr Modi's "violent authoritarian agenda that seeks to undermine India's democratic and secular fabric".
Dozens of writers have signed a letter to Mr Cameron, asking him to urge Mr Modi to "provide better protection for writers, artists and other critical voices and ensure that freedom of speech is safeguarded" in India.Dozens of writers have signed a letter to Mr Cameron, asking him to urge Mr Modi to "provide better protection for writers, artists and other critical voices and ensure that freedom of speech is safeguarded" in India.
Supporters of Mr Modi also gathered to welcome him.
AnalysisAnalysis
By Justin Rowlatt, BBC South Asia correspondentBy Justin Rowlatt, BBC South Asia correspondent
At the heart of these big foreign visits is trade.At the heart of these big foreign visits is trade.
India is now the fastest-growing large economy in the world and David Cameron wants the UK to have a piece of the action. Meanwhile Mr Modi wants to promote his signature policy and encourage British firms to "make in India".India is now the fastest-growing large economy in the world and David Cameron wants the UK to have a piece of the action. Meanwhile Mr Modi wants to promote his signature policy and encourage British firms to "make in India".
The big theme will be about how the two nations can enhance their "partnership".The big theme will be about how the two nations can enhance their "partnership".
You can expect the two leaders to announce billions of pounds worth of new deals between British and Indian companies. There'll also be talk about how the City of London can play a bigger role in the Indian economy, with plans for Indian companies to raise money in UK markets.You can expect the two leaders to announce billions of pounds worth of new deals between British and Indian companies. There'll also be talk about how the City of London can play a bigger role in the Indian economy, with plans for Indian companies to raise money in UK markets.
Mr Modi will be hoping that footage of him at Buckingham Palace and being cheered by a huge crowd in Wembley Stadium will help burnish his image in India after his party's humiliating defeat in the state elections in Bihar.Mr Modi will be hoping that footage of him at Buckingham Palace and being cheered by a huge crowd in Wembley Stadium will help burnish his image in India after his party's humiliating defeat in the state elections in Bihar.
But he is a controversial figure and the visit is likely to be marked by demonstrations and protests.But he is a controversial figure and the visit is likely to be marked by demonstrations and protests.
Read more from Justin hereRead more from Justin here
Mr Modi's arrival in London will be marked with a flypast by the RAF's aerobatic team, the Red Arrows, over the House of Commons.Mr Modi's arrival in London will be marked with a flypast by the RAF's aerobatic team, the Red Arrows, over the House of Commons.
During the visit, he will stay at Chequers, Mr Cameron's official country retreat in Buckinghamshire.During the visit, he will stay at Chequers, Mr Cameron's official country retreat in Buckinghamshire.
On Friday, Mr Modi will speak, mainly in Hindi, to some 60,000 people due at the Wembley event, which is expected to be a celebration of the Indian diaspora's contribution to the British economy.On Friday, Mr Modi will speak, mainly in Hindi, to some 60,000 people due at the Wembley event, which is expected to be a celebration of the Indian diaspora's contribution to the British economy.
Organisers have promised an Olympic-style reception for the Indian prime minister.Organisers have promised an Olympic-style reception for the Indian prime minister.
He will also visit the statue of Indian statesman Mahatma Gandhi, which stands alongside those of British prime ministers Benjamin Disraeli and Sir Winston Churchill in London's Parliament Square.He will also visit the statue of Indian statesman Mahatma Gandhi, which stands alongside those of British prime ministers Benjamin Disraeli and Sir Winston Churchill in London's Parliament Square.
Asked about criticism of Mr Modi, Lord Bilimoria, a cross-bench peer who chairs the UK India Business Council, said current changes in India were a "very positive story".
He said Mr Modi faced "huge challenges" and he must bring about "inclusive growth" to succeed.
Kilbinder Dosanjh, a specialist on India's political economy at the Eurasia Group, said the UK was seen as "quite secondary" among the countries India wanted to build ties with.
He said Mr Modi wanted expertise from Japan and Germany to build infrastructure including roads and railways, and France had also been building a relationship with India.
But he said India's rapidly growing middle class provided "massive market opportunities" for the UK.
Are you hoping to see Prime Minister Modi? Have you got tickets to see him at Wembley? Share you preparation plans with us. How do you feel about his visit? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.Are you hoping to see Prime Minister Modi? Have you got tickets to see him at Wembley? Share you preparation plans with us. How do you feel about his visit? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
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