Setback for riot victims, Britain ends
no contact with Modi policy
Thursday October 11, 2012 08:57:57 PM,
Agencies
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Delhi/London: In a severe blow to the victims of the 2002 Gujarat riots
who are fighting for justice since more than a decade, Britain has
ended its official no-contact policy with Gujarat after the 2002
riots and will be looking for "active engagement" that promises to
open "a new chapter" in its relations with the state.
In a press statement, Hugo Swire,
the new British minister in charge of India, has asked the British
High Commissioner James Bevan to visit Gujarat and meet Modi and
his senior cabinet colleagues.
"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 relations with India," Swire said.
Britain's turnaround comes a decade after the 2002 Gujarat riots,
in which three Britons were killed.
In his statement, Swire said: "We also want to provide the best
possible support for 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 communities in the UK.
"I feel that active engagement will help further these interests.
We will consider in the light of the High Commissioner's visit how
best to take forward our relationship with Gujarat."
Sources in the British High Commission in New Delhi told IANS that
the British envoy will be visiting Gujarat within a month and meet
Modi and key figures in his government.
The effort will be to explore linkages between universities,
research institutions and businesses between Britain and Gujarat,
said the sources.
The move opens a new chapter in Britain's relations with Gujarat,
said the sources.
Justifying the move, which has been criticised by some human
rights campaigners, the sources in the high commission said the
British government wanted a deeper and broader relationship with
the whole of India and did not want to leave out an important
state like Gujarat.
They also said Britain saw a number of opportunities for tie-ups
in areas of education, science and technology and innovation.
Rejecting the criticism of Britain going soft on human rights
issues, Swire said in London: "We want to support human rights and
good governance in the state."
Britain's turnaround has come as a shot in the arm for Modi who is
selling development agenda in the run-up to the December elections
in the state. It has set the stage for international
rehabilitation of Modi, who has been denied visa by the US for his
alleged role in the Gujarat riots.
"Der Aaye, Durusta Aaye!! I welcome
UK Govt's step for active engagement & strengthening relations
with Guj. God is Great," Modi wrote on his Twitter account.
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