Britain can help in transforming India: Cameron
This diversity is our pride and it is our strength.
“Kabir and Rahim have been our inspirations”. He said leaders of the world ask him with a few amazement how there is so much harmony in a diverse and big country like India.
“It’s been 12 years since I had been here”.
He drew loud cheers when he called for India to have a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, before bringing the house down with a bold prediction.
Both Modi and his British counterpart David Cameron were to drive up to the world famous arena in Jaguar Land Rover vehicles as another symbol of India-UK partnership.
He said that there were places in India where there was electricity but not for 24 hours a day. The Indian-origin community is increasingly becoming pro-Conservative.
Cameron and Modi came across as leaders with synergistic views.
Protestors had also demonstrated earlier at Downing Street against the Indian PM’s visit.
In the evening, the visiting premier reached Wembley Stadium, the home to iconic rock concerts and England’s national football team, to address 60,000 strong Indian Diaspora (or around 4% of the Indian Diaspora in Britain).
Stating that the FDI inflow has increased by 40 per cent, the Prime Minister said this shows the increasing global confidence on India.
Referring to PM Modi’s “Acche Din” slogan, Cameron said “I would like to say having seen your energy and vision, I will go a step further and say “Acche Din Zaroor Ayenge”.
Addressing a huge, enthusiastic gathering of British Indians at the expansive Wembley Stadium here, Modi announced resumption of a direct flight between London and Ahmedabad, simplification of the process concerning Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card and measures taken towards electronic travel authorisation and e-migration portal.
Besides the scheduled performances of pop star Jay Sean and hitmaker “Baby Doll” singer Kanika Kapoor, a lot of classical, folk art and contemporary music performances are also lined up.
Narendra Modi is due to speak at Wembley Stadium. In his intervention at a session on inclusive growth at the G20 summit, Modi said global economic growth remained weak, with slowdown in several major economies, volatile financial markets and competitive devaluation of currencies.
The pace and direction of progress in India is such that the fruits of development will be seen very soon.