PM Boris Johnson to improve India-UK ties with personal Modi connect

London Boris Johnson the new British Prime Minister is expected to rely on his declared personal connect with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deliver a truly special UKIndia relationship and strike a new and improved trading relationshipThe 55yearold senior Tory MP who is seen as the face of Brexit for the ruling Conservative Party had made a special effort to reach out to the Indian diaspora base of the party during the monthlong leadership race and pledged not only closer trade ties but also easier access for Indian professionals and studentsJohnson the former foreign secretary and London Mayor on Tuesday beat foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt in the race to be crowned the new Conservative Party leader amid the political uncertainty over the countrys divorce deal with the European UnionBoris is committed to securing a new and improved trading relationship with our friends in India and ensuring that the values we share the rule of law democracy and dynamic entrepreneurial spirit should be at the heart of one of our most important partners on the global stage said Priti Patel one of the seniormost Indianorigin Tory MPs who is expected to be a part of the new premiers ministerial team as a key member of the Back Boris campaignIn a letter earlier this month Johnson had played up his personal relationship with Prime Minister Modi as he promised to deliver a truly special UKIndia relationshipWhen I was with Prime Minister Modi I stressed that the UK and India are two modern democracies who should work closely together to promote trade and prosperity improve global security and tackle the challenges our countries faceJohnson wrote in an open letter addressed to the Indian diaspora Tory membership baseIf I am elected Conservative Party Leader and Prime Minister I will work closely with our friends in the Indian Government business and society to deliver a truly special UKIndia relationship he saidIn keeping with his firm proBrexit stance and determination to leave the European Union EU by the October 31 deadline the senior Tory MP branded it a travesty that the 28member economic bloc had failed to treat free trade agreement FTA talks with India as a priority for over a decadeHe said One of the most important reasons why we need to leave the European Union on October 31 2019 is so that we can take back control over our trade policy India is an economic powerhouse and set to become the thirdlargest economy by the middle of the century with annual economic growth far outpacing the EUThe sooner we leave the EU and take back control of our trade policy the sooner we can strike a new trade deal with India that will deliver new jobs growth and prosperity for both our countries Securing this new and improved trading relationship with our friends in India will be a priority for meThe former Mayor of London who has in the past described himself as a soninlaw of India by virtue of his now estranged wife Marina Wheelers Indian mother Dip Kaur stressed that the UKs relationship with India must run deeper than just tradeWe share so many values with India the rule of law democracy and dynamic entrepreneurial spirit and I believe that is why India should be one of our most important partners on the global stage he saidHe also plugged his proposals for a socalled Australianstyle pointsbased system of immigration which would ensure friends family members and business contacts in India do not face undue discrimination or barriers when seeking to work travel or study in the UKDuring the course of the leadership electoral hustings Johnson expressed his disappointment at UK retailers like Sainsburys and Waitrose not being able to set up base in India and said he would like to see India opening up to more of our great brandsHe has in the past also made several interventions over the high duties imposed by India on Scotch whisky These are likely to feature on his agenda in terms of any new trade talks with IndiaIndia is a massive static market for the UK but I would also like to see India opening up to more of our great brands In India Sainsburys cant set up they have no Waitrose in India Just imagine that he had said in his characteristic style of mock incredulityTrade with China has gone up about 45 per cent in the last ten years Trade with India has not increased actually I think volumes have remained almost static We need to do far more he notedJohnson is set to take formal charge at Downing Street on Wednesday after Theresa May hands in her resignation to Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace May who stepped down over her failed Brexit strategy has been functioning as a caretaker Prime Minister during the course of the leadership election