Not endorsing any individual by re-engaging with Gujarat: UK

AHMEDABAD: Britain today said the decision to re-engage with Gujarat was taken in its national interest and it should not be seen as an endorsement of any individual.

British High Commissioner to India James Bevan met Chief Minister Narendra Modi, ending the 10-year boycott of the state over the 2002 Gujarat riots and discussed ways to take forward the relations.

Bevan said after the meeting that active engagement with Gujarat was the right way to advance UK's interest in the state.

"This is engagement with Gujarat and Gujarat as a whole and not an engagement with any individual," Bevan said.

"I don't agree with your perception that we are rehabilitating Mr Modi, this engagement is not about endorsement. If we need to engage with some state, we need to engage with the Chief Minister of state and Mr Modi is democratically elected leader of Gujarat," he said.

Bevan was asked what UK government stood to gain from "rehabilitating" the Gujarat Chief Minister.

Britain had snapped all ties with Gujarat in the aftermath of the 2002 communal riots. The British High Commissioner interacted with Modi for about 50 minutes, discussing a range of issues, including climate change and investment.