Indian PM visits UK amid protests

The visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held talks with his British counterpart, David Cameron at Downing Street in the hopes of boosting bilateral commercial ties.

Following the meeting, the two leaders held a joint press conference where Cameron announced that British and Indian companies will sign deals worth 13 billion dollars over the coming days. He said new rupee-denominated bonds would also allow Indian companies to issue debt in London.

Modi, on his part, called Britain a traditional partner and India’s entry point into Europe. He also thanked Cameron for his support to India’s bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. The Indian prime minister expressed his desire to sign a civil nuclear deal and buy 20 more BAE Systems Hawk trainer aircraft.

Later Modi addressed the British parliament where he focused primarily on India's economic future. He called his trip as a "huge moment for UK-India partnership". Modi also called on the world to unite against the common threat of terrorism.

Modi’s three-day visit to London is the first by an Indian prime minister since 2006. 

'Row over trip'

The Indian prime minister's trip to London comes amid a rising climate of religious intolerance at home which is blamed on his right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

On Thursday, hundreds of protesters, including Nepalis, Sikhs and Tamils gathered outside Downing Street to protest Modis’ visit to Britain. Protesters criticized the UK for rolling out the red carpet for Modi whom they called as human rights violator. Some protesters held banners depicting Modi with Adolf Hitler alongside a swastika.

Earlier, more than 200 British academics signed an open letter to Cameron urging him to raise concerns about freedom of expression in India. They also asked the authorities to hold Modi accountable for his record on human rights.

Modi was at the helm of western Indian state of Gujarat when communal riots broke out there claiming over 1,000 lives, mostly Muslims. He has been acquitted from the case but fears prevail across the country ever since he took over as the prime minister.