By Choosing India For First Visit Outside Europe, British Premier Attests To Delhi’s Growing Clout

British Prime Minister Theresa May has chosen India for her first bilateral visit to a country outside the European Union. She will be here at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from 6-8 November.

The British Prime Minister is scheduled to hold extensive discussions with Prime Minister Modi on the entire gamut of issues relating to India-UK strategic partnership. Her International Trade Minister Laim Fox and a business delegation will accompany her.

Though the focus of her three-day visit will be trade and investments, Indo-British defence and strategic ties will also be on the agenda. Important issues of mutual interest like terrorism will figure in the talks.

The Indian side will give a detailed presentation on Pakistan-sponsored terror and the latest incidents of attacks on India by terrorists nurtured by Pakistan. The two sides will also discuss an intelligence-sharing mechanism on terrorist groups. The customary joint statement at the end of the series of meetings between the two leaders is expected to name Pakistan as the fountainhead of terror.

Theresa May's visit to India less than four months after taking over as the Prime Minister of the island nation attests to India's growing economic and strategic clout and the country becoming a prime investment destination.