Ahmedabad:
Britain's top diplomat in India met today with the chief minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, ending a 10-year boycott over the state's communal riots in 2002, in which more than 1000 people were killed, including three Britons of Gujarati origin.
"2002 was 10 years ago. In those 10 years, quite a few things have happened," said James Bevan, the UK's High Commissioner, who held a 50-minute meeting with Mr Modi in Gandhinagar. He said that the British government elected in 2010 took a decision to deepen and strengthen relations with India. "In the last 10 years, Gujarat has become more prosperous and successful...and has become more important to the UK," Mr Bevan said.
He was careful to stress, "This is engagement with Gujarat and Gujarat as a whole and not an engagement with any individual...this engagement is not about endorsement."
Mr Modi's office said the discussions included opportunities for British companies in Gujarat, one of India's flagship states for attracting foreign direct investment.
"Had a great meeting...to strengthen Guj-UK ties in economic and social sectors," Mr Modi said on Twitter.
After the riots, British officials were banned from dealing directly with Mr Modi but the government this month changed its policy. The High Commissioner stressed that the re-engagement is motivated partly by the UK's belief that progress is being made in court cases about the riots. He referred to the case of Maya Kodnani, a former minister in Mr Modi's government, who was sentenced in August to 28 years in jail for her role in instigating the 2002 riots.
Congress, however, downplayed the meeting and said the post of Chief Minister is a Constitutional post and the UK being a sovereign country can decide on meeting anyone.
"The United Kingdom is a sovereign country. Its High Commissioner and officials can meet anybody. Mr Modi is a Constitutional authority as any other Chief Minister," party spokesperson Sandeep Dikshit told reporters in New Delhi. (
Read: Congress downplays meeting)
The UK's re-connect with the chief minister arrives amid growing debate over whether his party, the BJP, will pick him as its prime ministerial candidate for the next general election, scheduled for 2014. Gujarat will pick its next government in elections in December - Mr Modi is looking for a third successive term as chief minister, though his prime ministerial ambitions are well-known.
The riots in his state and his alleged inaction to curb the violence damaged Mr Modi's credibility at home and abroad. The US does not grant him a visa.