Theresa May eyes India for post-Brexit ties

British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday that she will visit India next month for her first bilateral visit outside Europe during which she will hold talks with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and review all aspects of the India-UK strategic partnership post-Brexit.

Ms May, 60, will be in India between November 6 and 8 on the invitation of Mr Modi. She will be accompanied by her international trade minister Liam Fox and a business delegation drawn from regions across the UK as "examples of the best of British business". "The relationships between our two countries are strong, and the Indian diaspora plays a vital role in our national life," Ms May said.

"In my talks with Prime Minister Modi, I want to build on our relationship for the benefit of both our countries, generating jobs and wealth and maintaining cooperation on defence and security," she said. "As we leave the European Union, we have the chance to forge a new global role for the UK - to look beyond our continent and towards the economic and diplomatic opportunities in the wider world. I am determined to capitalise on those opportunities and as we embark on the trade mission to India, we will send the message that the UK will be the most passionate, most consistent, and most convincing advocate for free trade," May said.

While in India, the British PM will hold discussions with Mr Modi and a number of commercial deals are expected to be signed during the visit.

The India-UK partnership has moved into a new era, with Britain voting to leave the European Union in a referendum in June and leading to the resignation of then prime minister David Cameron.May will land in New Delhi, where she will inaugurate India-UK TECH Summit alongside Mr Modi.