In a gesture of heartfelt gratitude, then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi visited the United Kingdom in August 2003, two years after the catastrophic 2001 Bhuj earthquake.
The visit was not political, but deeply personal — a mission to thank the Indian diaspora for their support and solidarity during Gujarat’s hour of crisis.
Addressing a packed gathering at the Wembley Conference Centre, PM Modi praised the diaspora for their prompt mobilisation of aid and resources following the 6.9-magnitude quake that claimed thousands of lives.
‘You are all the real friends of Gujarat’, he declared, adding, “We have slept in the street of death, and today I have come to repay a debt of friendship to those who helped us in our hour of need.”
His words struck a powerful chord, acknowledging not only financial assistance but the emotional bonds that kept overseas Indians connected to their homeland.
During his UK visit, PM Modi also inaugurated the Shakti Hall at the offices of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice on 20 August 2003. He used the occasion to share an iconic vision for India’s future, one that celebrated talent and national identity.
In a memorable line fondly recalled by editors and attendees alike, he said, “IT is not Information Technology. IT is India Today. BT is not Biotechnology. It is Bharat Today. IT and IT equals IT — Information Technology and Indian Talent is India Tomorrow.”
The phrase resonated widely, highlighting his belief in India’s global potential and the diaspora’s role in shaping that future.
The visit also featured a meeting with the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who happened to be in London at the time.
This interaction further underlined the importance of diaspora relations in India’s broader diplomatic framework, even before PM Modi assumed national office.
PM Modi’s 2003 UK trip laid the foundation for his now well-known diaspora outreach strategy as Prime Minister.
It reinforced the idea that the Indian diaspora is not merely a symbolic extension of India abroad but an active and engaged partner in its progress and resilience.
His visit to thank the diaspora after the Bhuj earthquake remains a defining moment in India’s people-to-people diplomacy.
Also Read: PM Modi’s Diaspora Diplomacy In the UK: A Legacy Rooted In 1993
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