From Layover To Legacy: How PM Modis 1993 UK Stopover Ignited A Diaspora Powerhouse
PM Modi's deep and strategic engagement with the Indian diaspora has evolved into a cornerstone of India's foreign policy, especially during his second term. But this approach didn't begin in Delhi; it was seeded much earlier.
Back in 1993, as BJP's General Secretary in Gujarat, Modi made an unplanned stopover in the UK while returning from the US Despite the brief nature of the visit, he met local Indian families in Croydon and Hastings, interacted with diaspora media such as Sunrise Radio and Naya Padkar, and even rode the London Underground to connect with everyday Indians. These early gestures sowed the seeds of a diaspora diplomacy that would blossom over the years.
By 1999, following the BJP's landslide electoral victory, Modi returned to the UK for a five-day tour. Now a key national leader and the party's global face, he had already demonstrated his organizational strength in Gujarat, where the BJP expanded from 1,000 to 16,000 grassroots units under his leadership.
His visit culminated in a landmark address at the Swaminarayan School in Neasden, hosted by the Overseas Friends of BJP (UK). Braving a cold drizzle, a packed hall of supporters listened as he articulated the BJP's vision, rooted in nationalism, tradition, and democracy. Attendees included British political figures such as Lord Navnit Dholakia and MP Barry Gardiner.
In his speeches, Modi highlighted India's democratic values and positioned the BJP as more than a political party, as a civilizational movement embracing modernity, religion, and rooted culture. He was also honoured by the Lohana Mahajan community for his growing influence and his outreach to Indians abroad.
In 2000, on his way to the World Hindu Conference in the Caribbean and the UN Peace Summit in the US, Modi again stopped in London. Soon to be appointed BJP General Secretary (Organisation), a role previously held by only two others since the Jana Sangh era, Modi met UK Deputy PM John Prescott to discuss Asia's political landscape and the rising threat of terrorism.
In a powerful moment of foresight, a year before 9/11, he warned, 'Terrorism is an evil against humanity, whether in India, the Middle East, or Northern Ireland.' He also briefed diaspora leaders on Jammu and Kashmir's security situation, reinforcing his reputation as a leader with global awareness and local empathy.
In August 2003, following the devastating Bhuj earthquake, Modi returned to the UK as Chief Minister of Gujarat to personally thank the diaspora for their support. Speaking to a packed Wembley Conference Centre, he said, 'You are the real friends of Gujarat. I have come to repay a debt of friendship.' His emotional tribute resonated deeply with the overseas community.
During that visit, he also inaugurated Shakti Hall at the Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice offices and delivered a speech that is still quoted fondly, 'IT is not just Information Technology, it is India Today. BT is not Biotechnology, it is Bharat Today. IT plus IT equals India Tomorrow.'
He also met then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and political leaders along the River Thames, reinforcing the importance of diaspora engagement as part of India's broader diplomatic outreach.
Even in 2011, during Gujarat's golden jubilee, Modi connected with the UK diaspora via video conference. Addressing an elite gathering in London, he declared, 'The name Gujarat and development are synonymous. Gujarat is creating history.' He also announced the construction of Mahatma Mandir using soil from 18,000 villages, and from diaspora communities around the world, including the UK.
'For me, the diaspora has never been a passive audience,' he said. 'It is a vital partner in India's journey.'
Today, as Prime Minister, Narendra Modi continues to celebrate the global Indian community as ambassadors of Indian culture, democracy, and development. His enduring relationship with the diaspora reflects not only emotional resonance but strategic depth, making overseas Indians a vital force in shaping India's global identity.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
14 minutes ago
- Hans India
India must transform into a 'Lion', not just remain a 'Golden Bird': Mohan Bhagwat
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday called for India to become a strong and economically self-reliant nation, asserting that the world recognises and respects power. Speaking at the 'Gyan Sabha', a national education conference organised by the Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas — an RSS-affiliated body — Bhagwat said that India must move beyond the symbolism of being the 'golden bird' and instead become a 'lion'. 'The world understands power. Therefore, Bharat must become strong. It must also grow rich in economic terms,' Bhagwat said, stressing that strength and prosperity are essential for India to find its rightful place in the global order. Touching on the theme of national identity, Bhagwat made a strong case for preserving the name 'Bharat' without translation. 'Bharat is a proper noun. It should not be translated. 'India is Bharat' — that's true. But Bharat is Bharat. In every context — whether personal or public, while speaking or writing — we should say Bharat,' he emphasised. He added that Bharat's identity must be upheld and respected for what it stands for. 'If you lose your identity, then regardless of your other merits, the world will neither respect nor protect you. That's the fundamental rule,' Bhagwat noted. The RSS chief also spoke at length about the purpose and values of education, stating that true education empowers an individual to live independently while inculcating a spirit of sacrifice and selflessness. 'Education that teaches selfishness is not real education,' he declared. He further said that education is not confined to schools alone but extends to the home and society. 'The environment in which children grow up plays a crucial role. Society must reflect on what kind of atmosphere is needed to raise a confident and responsible generation,' Bhagwat said. The conference was attended by Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, along with several senior academicians and vice-chancellors from across India. President of Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas, Dr Pankaj Mittal, Secretary Dr Atul Kothari, Coordinator A Vinod, Chairman of Cochin Shipyard Madhu Nair were also present. The event focused on reshaping the country's educational framework in alignment with Indian cultural values and preparing the youth to face future challenges with clarity and confidence.
Hans India
14 minutes ago
- Hans India
Temple demolished in Hyderabad for Muslim votes, says MoS Bandi Sanjay
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Sunday alleged that a temple was demolished in Hyderabad to get votes of 30 per cent Muslim voters in the upcoming by-election to the Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency. He told media persons in Karimnagar that the Congress government in Telangana demolished the Peddamma temple in Banjara Hills for vote bank politics. He demanded that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy tender an apology and immediately suspend officials responsible for the demolition of the temple. 'How many Temples, Masjids and Churches are on roads? But what was the need to demolish the Banjara Hills Peddamma temple? The Congress government should immediately suspend the officials responsible. Is the government trying to appease a community who are 30 per cent in Jubilee Hills for votes in by-elections?' he asked. The BJP leader asked if the government has the courage to demolish places of worship of other communities. He stated that the Hindu community was ready to teach a lesson to the Congress government for demolishing the temple. The Minister of State alleged that the Congress betrayed Hindus and Backward Classes (BCs). Bandi Sanjay said that the 'BC declaration' released by the Congress at Kamareddy in the 2023 Assembly elections was in reality a 'Muslim declaration'. He alleged that the Congress wants to give 10 per cent reservation to Muslims and increase the reservation for BCs by only 5 per cent. The MoS also alleged that Hindus in Telangana were being projected as a 'minority' as part of a conspiracy of the Congress party. 'By giving reservations to 100 per cent Muslims, attempts are being made to show Hindus as a minority,' he said. He reiterated that the BJP would not allow 42 per cent reservation for BCs if Muslims are included in BCs. 'We have to stop this here as the Congress plans to implement this Muslim declaration across the country,' he said. Bandi Sanjay alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wants to weaken the Hindu community by breaching the 50 per cent reservation cap. He remarked that Rahul Gandhi would fail just like his great-grandfather, grandmother, and father failed in their attempts. On Congress leaders calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a 'converted BC,' Bandi Sanjay questioned Gandhi's own caste and religion. He pointed out that PM Modi's BC status was recognised by a previous Congress government. 'Rahul Gandhi's grandfather was a Parsi, and his mother is an Italian Christian. Is Rahul Gandhi a converted Christian, a converted Muslim or a converted Hindu?' he asked.
The Hindu
14 minutes ago
- The Hindu
LDF, UDF condemn arrest of two Keralite nuns on ‘trumped-up' charge of forced conversion in Chhattisgarh
The arrest of two Keralite nuns on charges of human trafficking and kidnapping for forced religious conversion at the Durg railway station in Chhattisgarh on Friday has drawn sharp criticism from Church leaders and also the ruling front and the Opposition in Kerala. Fr. Robin Rodrigues, a spokesperson of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), told reporters in Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, on Sunday that the nuns were travelling with three other women, aged between 18 and 19, from Durg to Agra when persons suspected to be Bajrang Dal workers accosted them angrily. He said they accused the nuns, Sister Vandana Francis, from the Udayagiri parish at Thalassery in Kannur, and Sister Preeta Mary from the Elavoor parish at Angamaly in Ernakulam, of taking women to Agra to convert them to Christianity and offering them money, food, and accommodation as inducements. Both are attached to the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI) order. CBCI Women's Council secretary Asha Paul said the women were travelling with the sisters on their own volition. They had consent letters from their parents and identity proof, including Aadhar, and railway tickets. Judicial remand Sister Asha alleged that the police refused to hear the nuns' entreaties to contact the parents of the women and record their statements before initiating prosecution. Instead, the officers brazenly sided with the suspected Bajrang Dal activists and arrested the nuns on non-bailable charges. She said the sisters were currently in judicial remand at a Durg prison and a court will hear their bail plea on Monday. All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal, MP, said the arrest of the nuns on 'trumped up' charges was the latest incident in the long series of persecution of minorities in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled States in north India, chiefly Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. Mr. Venugopal told reporters in New Delhi that he has conveyed Congress's strong protest to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Union Home Minister Amit Shah against the high-handedness of the State police. PM's intervention sought Left Democratic Front (LDF) leader and chairperson of the Kerala Congress (M) Jose K. Mani, MP, posted on social media that he has sought the urgent intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop mob attacks against Christians and Church leaders in BJP-ruled States. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan depicted the BJP as a 'wolf in sheep's clothing'. He said the BJP made a show of visiting Church leaders, Christian households, and bishops to woo the community to its fold. At the same time, the BJP unleashed the Sangh Parivar forces against Christians in States where it held power.
