He said he aims to “strengthen cooperation with a traditional friend” after Mr Cameron branded the visit an “historic opportunity” for India and the UK.
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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”. India and Britain could announce deals worth 8-12 billion pounds ($12-$18 billion) during the visit, according to diplomats, with Modi keen to buy 20 more BAE Systems Hawk trainer aircraft to be made in Bengaluru.
India’s economic affairs secretary Shaktikanta Das said last month that India is poised to exceed GDP growth of 7.5% in 2015/16.
Amravati, Indore and Pune are three of the cities taking part in Mr Modi’s smart development programme, and Mr Cameron said he hoped British firms would get a share of the planning, design and construction work involved.
Cameron described the relations between the two sides as a “new dynamic modern partnership” and reiterated his country’s support for India’s permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
His visit is the first by an Indian Prime Minister in nearly a decade and Mr Cameron has hailed the trip as an “historic opportunity”.
“There is something that is deeply entrenched in our culture, in our traditions, which is that of not accepting anything that has to do with intolerance”, he said, adding that violent incidents would not be tolerated. The scene outside the British Parliament and Prime Minister’s office looked chaotic, while the security had been beefed up in the area.
“There should be a resolve to isolate those who harbor terrorists and willingness to stand with nations that will fight them honestly”.
Modi, who flew to London 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.
The spokeswoman said: “We are clear that it is important to the United Kingdom to have a strong and close relationship with India as an important partner”.
A roundtable discussion with business chiefs in London is also scheduled. In every corner of our country, you can see their impact: entrepreneurs setting up businesses; doctors caring for patients; councillors representing communities; police protecting our streets – all helping to make us the most successful multi-racial democracy on earth.
British Armed Forces will also hold a special event for Modi to “recognise the contribution of Indians in the British Army”.
A crowd of around a hundred protesters had gathered outside Downing Street ahead of Mr Modi’s arrival, chanting noisily and holding placards.
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The letter, signed by members and supporters of free speech group PEN worldwide, calls on Mr Cameron to “urge him to provide better protection for writers, artists and other critical voices and ensure that freedom of speech is safeguarded”, warning that “without these protections a democratic, peaceful society is not possible”.
