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| Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi welcomes announcement by the UK govt to further coperation between UK and Gujarat [Photo: narendramodi.in] |
New Delhi: Ending the year-long boycott of the Gujarat
state imposed in the wake of the 2002 anti-Muslim riots Britain on Thursday
replaced it no-contact policy with a programme of “active engagement” in an
attempt to boost mutual interest and to
explore opportunities for closer cooperation.
Britain's envoy to India will meet Gujarat
Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the first such visit since fatal religious massacre
in his state 10 years ago.
British deputy foreign minister for India, Hugo
Swire on Thursday instructed the British high commissioner in New Delhi to
visit Gujarat and to meet the chief minister and other senior figures in the
state.
"This will allow us to discuss a wide
range of issues of mutual interest and to explore opportunities for closer
cooperation," Swire said in a statement.
Through his Tweeter profile Modi welcomed
the UK government's initiative towards normalising ties with Gujarat. His
website also carried the press release issued by Hugo Swire, the new British
minister in charge of India.
Modi is seen as the strongest saffron
leader and dominant opposition candidate for the General Election 2014 in
India.
Undeniably, people of Gujarat have witnessed
rapid growth and a industrial development across the state. Modi has created
his indelible perception of corruption free government in the state if
political experts to be believed it may blow a swift towards Modi’s conquest
after the election.
The announcement and the Britain’s decision
also drew condemnation from the Congress and left corridor.
Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari
expressing surprise over the British announcement saying, "There has been
no material change either in the subversion of the criminal justice system or
denial of access to justice to the victims of the Gujarat pogrom in last 10
years."
Left leaders questioned the UK's decision,
with CPI leader A B Bardhan wondering why the endorsement came ahead of state
polls. CPM leader Brinda Karat said the failure of the judicial process to nail
Modi for the riots has encouraged the rethink.
Some Muslims organisations have also
opposed the British government move to woo Modi with new policy.
An official at the British High Commission
in New Delhi said the policy shift reflected Gujarat's dynamic economic and
business climate and came after high-profile convictions of some politicians in
the state over the riots.
Notably, no date has been declared for the
announced visit, which however needs approval by the India’s foreign ministry.