Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given a warm welcome by the Indian community as he arrived in London on Wednesday evening for a high-profile two-day visit.
The visit is primarily centered around sealing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and taking the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to the next level.
The streets outside PM Modi’s hotel were filled with Indian diaspora members waving posters and chanting slogans like “Modi, Modi,” “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” and “Vande Mataram.” Many danced in traditional attire, showcasing their cultural pride as they welcomed the Prime Minister.
Touched by the warm welcome given to me by the Indian community in the UK. Their love and enthusiasm for India's development is really heartening," PM Modi posted on social media platform X.
Earlier during the evening, traditional drummers dressed in cultural attire played the dhol in celebration in anticipation of his arrival.
Spreading the happiness at the moment, an Indian diaspora member informed IANS, "We are so proud, and I am still crying. You can see that my eyes are still full of the joy and happiness he (PM Modi) spread while shaking our hands."
Another over-enthusiastic supporter remarked, "I felt really happy to meet PM Modi for the first time and my whole day became worthwhile. The efforts taken by PM Modi for India like digitisation, recent success of Operation Sindoor etc. All the credit for such efforts goes to PM Modi and his Cabinet. The aura PM Modi brings wherever he goes people are mad to see him. I feel really proud every time I come back home."
Another member of the community reminisced about the emotional charge of the visit, stating, "The aura that I saw was just outstanding. I did not think he would have such a huge presence as he (PM Modi) appeared like a saint before me. That is why people like PM Modi a lot."
Glorifying the future, a supporter commented, "It was really wonderful, just like each time PM Modi arrives, he tends to do something good over here. He makes the UK-India relationship stronger and spreads positivity. I have high expectations this time too as PM Modi will do something wonderful for India."
A last voice from among the crowd also chimed in, "He (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) is a great person, and I am so fortunate to have met him today. I feel so motivated from PM Modi."
The visit, held between July 23 and 24, is PM Modi's fourth to the UK and is done at the invitation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Prior to leaving for London, PM Modi tweeted on X: "Leaving for the UK, a country with which our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has gained considerable momentum in recent years. Looking forward to my discussions with PM Keir Starmer and my audience with His Majesty King Charles III."
The visit will include talks aimed at deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), as per a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs. The talks will cover areas of trade and economic cooperation, innovation and technology, defence and security cooperation, action on climate change, healthcare, education, and enhancing people-to-people connections.
Regional and international developments of mutual interest between the two nations will also be included in the bilateral negotiations.
The visit is likely to inject new energy into the India-UK CSP, with both leaders looking at existing momentum and new fields of collaboration, including the eagerly awaited India-UK Free Trade Agreement.
PM Modi will also likely take an audience with King Charles III during his visit.
The Ministry pointed out that this visit is following a trend of close, high-level interaction between London and New Delhi. PM Starmer and PM Modi have already met at the G20 Summit in Brazil and the G7 Summit in June 2025, and have been in regular contact via several telephone calls.
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