British Foreign Secretary William Hague and Chancellor of Exchequer George Osborne called on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. They conveyed British Prime Minister David Cameron`s felicitations to the Prime Minister and extended his invitation to Modi for a visit to UK. They noted that Prime Minister’s election had generated a strong hope and excitement in UK about India`s all round development and expressed British Government`s keen desire to work with the new Government in New Delhi to further deepen and expand the traditionally strong India-UK ties. They reiterated the United Kingdom`s desire to deepen economic linkages with India. Towards this end, United Kingdom is interested in expanding its network of diplomatic and trade offices in India. They also lauded Prime Minister`s bold initiative to invite SAARC leaders for the swearing in ceremony of the new Government in May. The Prime Minister conveyed his appreciation for the invitation from Prime Minister Cameron and looked forward to an early opportunity for a substantive visit to UK to take the relationship to a qualitatively new level. Modi also conveyed his invitation to Prime Minister Cameron to visit India. He noted the many strong links that have created a strong foundation for India-UK relations, especially the contribution of people-to-people ties, the strong and successful Indian diaspora and the generations of students. He also discussed with the visiting British Ministers ways to strengthen ties in the area of trade, investment, infrastructure development, energy, cyber-security, defence equipment, education and science and technology. Prime Minister reiterated his strong commitment to develop friendship and cooperation with all neighbours. (ANI)
