UK ends boycott of Narendra Modi, envoy meets Gujarat Chief Minister

GANDHINAGAR: Ending a ten-year boycott of Gujarat after the 2002 riots, Britain today made its first engagement with the state when High Commissioner James Bevan met Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Bevan drove in to the state Secretariat complex here at about 11 AM to meet Modi with a small delegation.

"The meeting continued for about 50 minutes," official sources said.

After the meeting, Bevan drove away to meet Governor Kamla Beniwal.

It was immediately not known what transpired in the meeting.

On October 11, the UK had announced ending a 10-year boycott of Narendra Modi government imposed after the 2002 riots.

The British government had asked its envoy to India, James Bevan, to visit Gujarat and meet Modi and other senior officials in the state to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest and explore opportunities for closer cooperation.

The Chief Minister had welcomed the move as "better late than never".

"Der Aaye Durust Aaye (better late than never)! I welcome UK government's step for active engagement and strengthening relations with Gujarat. God is Great," Modi had tweeted, reacting to Britain's decision.