It’s one big Namaste for Boris Johnson. Some business execs who met David Cameron and his delegation to India a fortnight ago say it was the Mayor who sold Britain to Indian investors better during his recent trip.
“Johnson was more adamant in finding solutions to areas such as immigration, which Cameron was too diplomatic about,” an anonymous executive told New Delhi’s Sunday Guardian. “Johnson acknowledged the issues that need to be addressed, and was forthcoming about investors contacting him if they faced problems, specifically on immigration. This was refreshing to see, a trait lacking in Mr Cameron’s previous visits to India.”
Samir Saran, vice-president of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), concurred. “PM Cameron’s visit has me befuddled,” he said. “What were the objectives? Was it directed at the domestic politics of England? I’m sure this visit was as much about Cameron reaching out to his own people of Indian origin as bi-lateral relations. The trip to Punjab, for instance, can only be explained by this understanding. The Indian government and the larger section of people were not expecting or demanding ‘regrets or apology’.”
