* Cameron supports India for UNSC
LONDON, Nov 12:
In a veiled reference to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said there should be a global resolve to “isolate” those who harbour terrorists and willingness to stand with nations that will fight them “honestly”.
Addressing MPs in British Parliament’s Royal Gallery, Modi, who is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the UK in 10 years, said the world must speak in one voice and act in unison to combat terrorism, calling it a “challenge of our times.”
Dwelling on terrorism among other subjects during his 25-minute speech, Modi said there should be no distinction between terrorist groups or discrimination between nations.
“There should be a resolve to isolate those who harbour terrorists and willingness to stand with nations that will fight them honestly. And, we need a social movement against extremism in countries where it is most prevalent and, every effort to delink religion and terrorism,” he said.
“The world must speak in one voice and act in unison to combat this challenge of our times,” Modi said while stating that terrorism and extremism are a global force that are larger than their changing names, groups, territories and targets.
“We must adopt a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the UN without delay. There should be no distinction between terrorist groups or discrimination between nations.
On the situation in the Indian sub-continent, Modi said India wants an Afghanistan that is shaped by the dreams of the great Afghan people, not by “irrational fears and overreaching ambitions” of others.
Modi told the British parliamentarians that we are living in a world where instability in a distant region quickly reaches our doorsteps and that we see this in the challenges of radicalization and refugees.
“The fault lines are shifting from the boundaries of nations into the web of our societies and the streets of our cities,” he said.
Stating that he is truly honoured to speak in the British Parliament, Modi said even in this globalised world, London is still the standard for our times.
Modi said Indians invest more in Britain than in the rest of European Union combined not because they want to save on interpretation costs, but because they find an environment that is welcoming and familiar.
India is the third largest source of Foreign Direct Investment(FDI) projects in the UK.
Stating that India is new bright spot of hope and opportunity for the world, the Prime Minister said India among other things is igniting the engines of its manufacturing sector and making its farms more productive and more resilient.
“If you visit India, you will experience the wind of change,” he told his audience.
On domestic issues, Modi said federalism is no longer the fault line of Centre-State relations, but the definition of a new partnership of Team India.
“Citizens now have the ease of trust, not the burden of proof and process. Businesses find an environment that is open and easy to work in,” he said.
“And, the motto of Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas, is our vision of a nation, in which every citizen belongs, participates and prospers,” Modi said.
Modi said Indian and UK security agencies work together so that our children return home safe and our increasingly networked lives are not prey to the threats on cyber space.
“Our Armed Forces exercise with each other, so that they can stand more strongly for the values we represent. This year alone, we have had three exercises together,” he said.
He mentioned that a peaceful, stable Indian Ocean Region is vital for global commerce and prosperity.
“And, the future of Asia Pacific region will have profound impact on all of us. We both have huge stakes in West Asia and the Gulf,” he said amid increasing Chinese assertiveness in South China Sea.
He said UK’s support to India in the international arena, has made it more possible for India to take her rightful place in global institutions and regimes. “It has helped us both advance our common interests”.
“Inspired by Gandhiji, the change has begun with us – the way the government works. There is transparency and accountability in governance. There is boldness and speed in decisions. Federalism is no longer the fault line of Centre-State relations, but the definition of a new partnership of Team India.
“Citizens now have the ease of trust, not the burden of proof and process. Businesses find an environment that is open and easy to work in. In a nation connected by cell phones, Digital India is transforming the interface between Government and people,” he said.
Modi said the motto of ‘Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas’, is his vision of a nation, in which every citizen belongs, participates and prospers.
It is not just a call for economic inclusion. It is also a celebration of our diversity, the creed for social harmony, and, a commitment to individual liberties and rights, he said.
“This is the timeless ethos of our culture, this is the basis of our constitution, and, this will be the foundation of our future,” he said.
Modi pointed out that on the way to this event, Cameron and he paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi outside the Parliament.
“I was reminded of a question I was asked on a tour abroad. How is it that the statue of Gandhi stands outside the British Parliament?
“To that question, my answer is: The British are wise enough to recognise his greatness, Indians are generous enough to share him, we are both fortunate enough to have been touched by his life and mission; and, we are both smart enough to use the strengths of our connected histories to power the future of our relationship,” he said.
Modi cited his predecessors Jawaharlal Nehru and Manmohan Singh to highlight the connected histories of India and the UK during his historic address to British Parliament MPs.
“So much of the modern history of India is linked to this building. So much history looms across our relationship,” Modi said.
“I will only say that many freedom fighters of India found their calling in the institutions of Britain. And, many makers of modern India, including several of my distinguished predecessors, from Jawaharlal Nehru to Dr Manmohan Singh, passed through their doors,” he said amid criticism from the opposition that Modi in his speeches ignored the legacy of Nehru and the Congress party in India’s progress.
Modi thanked Commons Speaker John Bercow for opening the doors of the Royal Court to him despite the Parliament is not in session.
“There are many things on which it is hard to tell anymore if they are British or Indian: The Jaguar or the Scotland Yard, for example. The Brooke Bond tea or my friend late Lord Ghulam Nun’s curry…. And, we love the Bhangra rap from London just as you like the English novel from India,” he said.
“On the way to this event, Prime Minister (David) Cameron and I paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi outside the Parliament. I was reminded of a question I was asked on a tour abroad. How is it that the statue of Gandhi stands outside the British Parliament?
“To that question, my answer is: The British are wise enough to recognise his greatness; Indians are generous enough to share him; we are both fortunate enough to have been touched by his life and mission; and, we are both smart enough to use the strengths of our connected histories to power the future of our relationship,” he said.
“At the heart of London, in the middle of Parliament Square, Bapu is immortalised. The 2 PMs (Modi and Cameron) pay homage to the Mahatma,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted as Modi for the first time saw the statue near the British Parliament and paid tributes to the Father of Nation.
Modi left the British MPs and their peers in splits a few times during his address at the Parliament’s Royal Gallery here as he entwined his speech with humour invoking David Beckham to Bhangra rap.
Thanking the UK Parliament speaker for opening the doors to him, Modi left the house cracking as he said, “I know that the Parliament is not in Session. Prime Minister Cameron looks relaxed and relieved”.
He went on to remind Prime Minister Cameron the slogan – “Phir ek baar, Cameron Sarkar’ – used by him in the British elections earlier this year.
“I want to remind you, Mr. Prime Minister, that you owe me royalty for an election slogan,” he said.
Modi said that there are many things on which it is hard to tell anymore if they are British or Indian.
“The Jaguar or the Scotland Yard, for example. The Brooke Bond tea or my friend late Lord Ghulam Nun’s curry,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the strongest debates are whether the Lord’s pitch swings unfairly or the wicket at Eden Gardens cracks too early.
“And, we love the Bhangra rap from London just as you like the English novel from India,” he said.
Noting that he will be visiting Wembley, which has the iconic football ground where he will be addressing Indian diaspora, Modi said, “Even in India, every young footballer wants to bend it like Beckham”.
Earlier, India and the UK today signed deals worth 9-billion pound as they inked a civil nuclear pact and decided to collaborate in defence and cyber security besides launching a railway rupee bond in London market.
The decisions were announced during a joint press interaction by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart David Cameron here after their 90-minute wide- ranging talks at 10 Downing Street.
Modi, who flew into the British capital on his much- anticipated three-day visit, was accorded a guard of honour by the 48-member F Company Scots guard accompanied by the regimental band of Irish guards, amid noisy protests by hundreds on the growing intolerance in India.
Cameron described the Indo-UK relations as a “new dynamic modern partnership” and reiterated his country’s support for India’s permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
“During this visit British and Indian companies are announcing new collaborations together worth 9 billion pounds,” he told reporters.
“We want to become the number one partners to finance the immense economic vision Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and make London the centre for off-shore rupee trading with the launch of 1-billion worth of bonds including the first Government-backed rupee denominated bond,” Cameron added.
“We want to forge a more ambitious, modern partnership,” he added, noting that India has more investments in Britain than in the rest of the European Union combined.
On his part, Modi highlighted plans for India to use London as a financial base for fundraising.
“We are going to use the London market for fundraising even more and I am happy to announced that we are set to launch a railway rupee bond in London. It is appropriate as the journey of Indian Railways started in the UK,” Modi said.
“The conclusion of the civil nuclear agreement is a symbol of our mutual trust and our resolve to combat climate change. The agreement for cooperation in India’s Global Centre for Clean Energy Partnerships will strengthen safety and security in the global nuclear industry,” he added.
Earlier, Cameron came out from his office-cum residence 10 Downing Street to receive Modi before the two leaders headed to the world’s most famous political office for talks.
The UK ranks 18th in the list of India’s top 25 trading partners and two-way trade in 2014-15 stood at USD 14.34 billion. The UK is the third largest inward investor in India, after Mauritius and Singapore, with a cumulative equity investment of USD 22.26 billion between 2000-2015.
Modi’s talks with Cameron will carry on at the British Prime Minister’s country residence of Chequers in Buckinghamshire, where he is being hosted overnight.
Prime Minister Modi said India attaches great value to defence and security cooperation with UK, including regular exercises and defence trade and collaboration.
“This cooperation will grow. I am also pleased that UK will participate in the International Fleet Review in India in February 2016. UK will also be a strong partner in India’s defence modernization plans, including our Make in India mission in defence sector,” he added.
He also announced to launch a new fast track mechanism for UK investments in India.
Modi also thanked Prime Minister Cameron for the strong British support for India’s permanent membership of the reformed UN Security Council and membership in the international export control regimes.
“Our partnership will not only create opportunities and increase the prosperity for our people, but also strengthen our two nations’ capabilities to advance our many shared interests and address our challenges. These include peace and stability in Asia, especially in South Asia and West Asia; maritime security; cyber security; and, of course, terrorism and extremism,” the prime minister said.
The UK ranks first among the G20 and India undertook 122 FDI projects in the UK in 2014-15. The UK attracts more Indian investment than the rest of the European Union put together.
Indian businesses in the UK employ around 110,000 people, 65,000 of whom work for the Tata Group.
Around 300 protesters gathered outside Downing Street before moving down to Parliament Square to mark a “day of protest” today, coinciding with Modi’s visit.
The ‘Modi Not Welcome’ campaign by the Awaaz Network and CasteWatchUK were joined by British Sikh and Nepalese groups as they chanted slogans of “Back Off Modi” and “Hurrah for Bihar” and waved placards like “Your action is inhuman against international law” and “Remove illegal blockade in Nepal”.
“An appropriate policing plan is in place. We are in dialogue with various protest groups to facilitate their requests. No restrictions have been placed on the route,” a Metropolitan Police statement said.
Scotland Yard had cordoned off Whitehall, the political heart of London which includes Downing Street and other key UK Government offices as part of the security arrangements for the visit.
Earlier, over 200 prominent authors including Salman Rushdie had asked Cameron to raise the issue of “rising climate of fear” and “growing intolerance” in India with Modi, in second letter from the PEN International within a month.
Booker Prize winner Rushdie, recent Booker prize shortlisted British-Indian author Neel Mukherjee and other well-known names like Ian McEwan and Hari Kunzru are among the signatories of the open letter to Cameron that seeks to ensure “freedom of speech is safeguarded” in India.
Around 46 MPs, including leader of the opposition Labour party Jeremy Corbyn, have also signed a parliamentary motion asking Cameron to raise human rights issues with the Indian Government.
Modi faced questions on intolerance in India in recent months and 2002 riots in Gujarat, drawing an assurance from him that intolerance would not accepted in any part of India.
At a media interaction here after talks with his British counterpart David Cameron, a BBC reporter referred to recent incidents of intolerance and asked why India was becoming an increasingly intolerance place.
Modi replied that India is a land of Buddha and Gandhi and its culture does not accept anything that is against the basic social values.
“India does not accept intolerance even if it is one or two or three incidents. But for a country of 125 crore people whether it is significant or not, it does not matter. For us every incident is serious. We do not tolerate it.
“Law takes strong action and will continue to do so. India is a vibrant democracy which under Constitution provides protection all citizens, their lives and thoughts. We are committed to it,” said the Prime Minister.
A journalist from The Guardian newspaper later asked Cameron who was standing by Modi as to how comfortable he was feeling receiving Modi into the country given the fact that during his (Cameron’s) first tenure, Modi was not permitted to visit UK because of his record as Gujarat Chief Minister.
The reporter also asked Modi about protests during the day on the streets of London saying he did not deserve the respect that would normally be accorded to the leader of the world’s largest democracy given his record as Gujarat Chief Minister.
Cameron said “I am pleased to welcome Modi. He comes here with an enoromous and historic mandate. As far as the other issue is concern, there were legal proceedings. Earlier today, he was received by the British Government and I discussed with him how the two countries can work together.”
On his part, Modi said about the “other issue” raised by the questioner, “I want to set the record straight.”
“In 2003 when I came here I got an enthusiastic reception then also. The UK had never barred me from coming here. There was no bar. It is a wrong perception. I want to set it right.”
While the US administration had denied visa to Modi after the 2002 riots, the British Government was cold to him for long. But before the 2014 elections, the British High Commissioner visited Gandhi Nagar and met Modi, in a signal that London was warming up to him as media had already projected that Modi was on the rise.
India has been rocked by controversy over incidents of intolerance ever since a man was lynched in Dadri on suspicions of having eaten beef.
Wooing British investors, Modi said that “necessary conditions” for take-off of the Indian economy have been created and held out an assurance that it will get “better and better” in the coming days.
Modi said India is among the “most open” countries for foreign investments with the latest round of FDI reforms, asserting, at this point of time, it is “wiser to be in India.”
Stating that he is personally eager to work with the British Government and companies, Modi vowed “my personal care in making your dreams a reality.”
Modi was speaking before a business audience at the historic Guildhall in the heart of the city of London’s financial district on the first day of this three-day visit to the UK–the first by an Indian Premier in 10 years.
The Prime Minister also sounded hopeful of India successfully rolling out the new goods and services tax in 2016.
“Necessary conditions for take-off of the Indian economy have been created. Never before, India was so well prepared to absorb talent, technology and investment from outside. I can assure you that it will get better and better in the coming days.
“We will be open to welcome your ideas, innovations and enterprises. We are open to carry out necessary corrections in our policies and procedures,” he said.
Stating that there were a number of regulatory and taxation issues which were adversely impacting on the sentiments of foreign investors, Modi said the government has taken “very decisive” steps to remove a number of long pending concerns.
In this context, he cited examples like how regulatory clearances including security and environmental clearance have been expedited and increasing the validity period of defence industrial licences up to eighteen years from three years previously.
“Since my Government took over, we have been working relentlessly to put the economy on track.,” he said, adding,” The results of our hard work are now visible. IMF Chief has recently said that India is among few bright spots in global economy today. Our growth rate in the last year was 7.3 per cent.”
Modi said his government was working on all fronts to make India a global manufacturing hub, adding the hall mark of our strategy now is Policy driven Governance.
Noting that his government was also conscious of the last mile operational issues in its policies, the prime minister said that in that spirit substantial changes have been carried out in the FDI regime across 15 sectors.
“With this round of reforms, I can say that India is among the most open countries for Foreign Investments,” he said.
“We want to make sure that our tax regime is transparent and predictable. We are also keen to see that genuine investors and honest tax payers get quick and fair decisions on tax matters.”
Modi told his audience that in just eighteen months his government has successfully restored the credibility of India in the eyes of global players. (PTI)
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