In an exclusive interview to ToI, British minister of state at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Hugo Swire, who on Thursday became the first cabinet minister from the UK to visit Gujarat in more than a decade, said: "In October 2012, after much consideration, our government changed our approach to engagement in Gujarat. The decision was not taken lightly and I respect the views of those who disagree with our change of policy."
Swire, who met Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi in Gandhinagar on Thursday but didn't extend an invitation to the leader to come to London, told TOI that "I am conscious that I am the first British minister to visit Gujarat in more than a decade. British ministers have not engaged with the political leadership of Gujarat on account of the allegations of complicity in the horrifying communal violence there in 2002. This unrest saw over 1,000 people killed, mostly Muslims, and including British citizens. This is about engagement with the state of Gujarat, not the endorsement of any single politician or party."
"As part of this engagement, as with any ministerial visit abroad, my role will always be to get what is best for the British people. Our relationship with India is absolutely fundamental to the UK's economy, with bilateral trade between our two countries on course to double to £23 billion by 2015. Gujarat has grown at 10% per year for the last five years and is experiencing rapid development. The UK has a broad range of interests there." Swire was, however, clear that UK's overseas interests and its human rights agenda are not contradictory.
He said, "Britain stands for democratic freedoms, universal human rights and the rule of law. We believe that individual demands for a better life can only be truly satisfied in open and democratic societies, and that it is peaceful, open economies that allow trade and investment to flourish."
He added, "So while I acknowledge that people may be concerned, they should also recognize that whether it is India, or China, or Syria, or Burma, or the Falklands, the UK will continue to strive to help people build a secure, democratic, and prosperous future, not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it is in our direct national interest."
Swire said he wants to provide the best possible support for British nationals who live, work or visit Gujarat and to the 450,000 Gujaratis who live in the UK.
Referring to the multi-billion pound deal between a UK company BG Group and Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Limited - one of the biggest UK-India deals in history, Swire said, "I want to see many more deals like this and as minister responsible for UK relations with India, I hope that I can play some part in helping to make those happen."
"The BG Group deal is an example of what can be achieved when the UK and India work together. This deal will mean greater energy security for Gujarat. As a result of deals like this we are well on the way to the target of doubling bilateral trade with India. It follows on from other key work with India including the deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd to assemble Hawk Aircraft in India and the massive investment by TATA which makes that firm the largest manufacturing employer in the UK," Swire added.
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