Members of the Indian diaspora in the United Kingdom welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi with great enthusiasm during his ongoing State Visit to London, expressing joy over the signing of the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the UK.
The deal, they said, is a major step forward in strengthening bilateral ties and boosting trade between the two nations.
Prime Minister Modi, who arrived in London on Wednesday evening, was greeted by a large crowd of community members outside his hotel.
Dressed in traditional attire, many danced and chanted slogans like ‘Modi, Modi’, ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, and ‘Vande Mataram’, holding banners and posters to show their support.
“This FTA is a very nice step. We feel proud to call ourselves Indians as the Prime Minister has transformed the nation entirely,” said one of the attendees.
Another community member noted the broader impact of the agreement, saying, “With PM Modi’s visit and the signing of the FTA, relations between the two countries will only progress. We are very happy about the potential business this deal will generate.”
Emotional Connection with the Prime Minister
For many, meeting the Indian Prime Minister in person was both emotional and uplifting.
“Meeting PM Modi for the first time was really nice. We had been waiting for the FTA for a long time now, as it will strengthen the ties between the two nations,” said one community member.
Another attendee added, “He shook our hands and thanked us for coming. We are proud of the work he’s done – from digitisation to Operation Sindoor, the credit goes to him”
A retired Indian Army captain, now living in the UK, however, shared a personal connection.
“I come from PM Modi’s constituency, Varanasi. Seeing how he’s governing India fills me with pride. Operation Sindoor was commendable, and I hope India continues to prosper under his leadership.”
The FTA, signed on Thursday, will likely enhance annual trade by nearly $34 billion. India will lower tariffs on 90 per cent of UK goods, while the UK will cut duties on 99 per cent of Indian exports, reducing trade barriers across multiple sectors.
Dhruva Kumar, the Alba Party’s parliamentary candidate from Glasgow South, further commented on the broader impact.
“The UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed by Prime Minister Modi and UK PM Keir Starmer, is a game-changer. It will likely double trade to $120 billion by 2031, boost the UK economy by $5 billion annually, and create thousands of jobs in both countries,” Kumar told IANS.
Also Read: India, UK Sign Landmark Free Trade Agreement To Boost $34 Billion In Annual Trade
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