Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has planned to engage with the Indian diaspora during his visit to the UK in April. The event, called Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath, will be held at a venue in Westminster on 18 April, during his visit to the UK for the Commonweal Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and will be telecast live. It promises to be a unique live interactive conversation. Speculations are that it may be held at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, a conference centre in London, which was the venue for the Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in 2014.
However it will not be as big as the 2015 community event in Wembley Stadium that had 60,000 people attending. Sources reveal that this event will only allow about 1,500 invitees and these attendees will be selected by lottery after they register on a website created for the event. The last date for registration is on the website is 4 April. Vijay Chauthaiwale, in-charge of the BJP Foreign Affairs Department, wrote on Twitter last evening, “A unique niche event is being planned in London on April 18.Titled as #BharatKiBaatSabkeSaath, it will be a one of its kind live interactive conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi."
The Indian ladies UK, a women’s group that has over 26,000 members in Britain, will be organising a flashmob to welcome Modi to UK. A "treasure box" has been made to be given to the PM. The group collected hundreds of handwritten messages from Indian-origin women. They will be put together and gifted for Modi to carry back the message of "educate the boy child to save the girl child." The last time he visited London, 3500 ‘Indian Ladies’ from the same group crocheted a 20ft long colourful blanket representing the unity and diversity of India, and a few representatives from the group had handed it over to Modi in person.
Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar will also bring out a special issue/supplement to celebrate Modi’s visit to the UK. Also, a joint “mission” has called out all British Indians to join in for a march on April 18 to the Parliament. 'Mission: Support PM Modi Oppose Anti India Forces' asks to all “unite” and walk in honour of the Prime Minister.
CHOGM participation
The Prime Minister will arrive in London from Sweden and hold a series of bilateral meetings, including with British Prime Minister Theresa May and meet Queen Elizabeth II expected on April 18. On April 19 and 20, Modi will take part in the CHOGM discussions along with heads of government from other 52 member-countries of the Commonwealth.
The visit has been dubbed "historic" within diplomatic circles as this would mark an Indian Prime Minister's presence at CHOGM for the first time since 2010. Modi has been reportedly invited personally by the Queen in a letter addressed to him. The Heads of Government Meeting on April 19 and 20 will be preceded by the Commonwealth Business Forum between April 16-18, which will bring together hundreds of business people and stakeholders from across the 53 Commonwealth countries. India’s Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will be here from 12th April and will be addressing an event at the Chatham House, London, on 12th evening.
Groups to protest Modi visit
However, same as 2015, a few UK-based groups have indicated plans to hold protests at some of the venues Modi is likely to visit. Self-styled leaders of the Sikh community in Britain will join hands with Kashmiri separatists this month to protest against Modi's decision to attend the Commonwealth Summit in London and Windsor. As was mentioned in an Indian local report, these leaders are assumed to have links with Pakistan-based militants, including Wadhwa Singh of Babbar Khalsa International.
Protests will also include a demonstration by the Sikh Federation UK, which says it wants to register its protest over what it believes is the torture of 31 year old Scottish Sikh Jagtar Singh Johal in Nabha Central Jail in Punjab. Mark Field, Minister of state in-charge of Asia and the Pacific in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), had said during a Parliament debate in the UK earlier this month that he would "try" to see if the issue of Johal's arrest can be raised with Modi during CHOGM.
Also, information on the Government Whips' Office, House of Lords website leads to believe that Lord Nazir Ahmed plans to raise a question on Kashmir and Punjab in the House of Lords on April 16. It says, “Lord Ahmed to ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to encourage the Government of India to withdraw its formal reservations against the right of self determination so that the conflicts in Indian-controlled Kashmir, Punjab and other territories in the north east of the Indian sub-continent can move towards a peaceful resolution in a democratic manner, underpinned by international law.”
Boris Johnson serves recipe for success with Commonwealth youth
UK's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, rolled up his sleeves alongside chefs at Amaya Indian restaurant to cook up a feast for a Commonwealth Big Lunch. A series of community lunches are celebrating the diversity, creativity and human networks of the Commonwealth through great food. 60 per cent of the Commonwealth’s 2.4 billion citizens are under 30, Mr Johnson invited Chevening scholars, representing the next generation of leaders, to share a curry and talk about ensuring the alliance of nations remains relevant for future generations.
Johnson said: “From Mombasa to Montreal, Yaounde to Wellington, Commonwealth Big Lunches are being celebrated across the globe. “I want everyone across the British Isles to roll their sleeves up, connect with friends and neighbours and savor the great culinary heritage of the Commonwealth. “In a world faced with huge global challenges, this 2.4 billion strong network is more important than ever. April’s summit will help us collectively ensure a more prosperous, secure, and fairer future for all citizens.”
A key theme of the CHOGM summit in London will be boosting trade between members. Commonwealth economies have expanded twice as fast as European ones – by an average of 4.4% every year. The summit will also discuss how to improve security co-operation, girls’ education and protecting wildlife. Commonwealth Big Lunches are happening across the 53 different nations from 12 March - Commonwealth Day - until Sunday 22 April 2018.
