On Saturday 7th December, just days ahead of the General Election, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson alongwith his girlfriend Carrie Symonds visited the famous BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden to woo the Indian diaspora.
Pledging to partner with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his mission to build a new India, Prime Minister Johnson said,
"I know Prime Minister Modi is building a new India. And, we in the UK government will support him fully in his endeavour.
"British Indians have played a vital role in helping the Conservatives win elections in the past. When I told Narendra bhai [Modi] this, he just laughed and said Indians are always on the winning side."
Dressed in a bright pink silk sari, Symonds accompanied Johnson in her first official campaign tour which was also attended by home secretary Priti Patel. Marking the celebrations for what would have been the 98th birthday of guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the president of the Swaminarayan Sanstha, Johnson also noted the contributions of the Temple and said,
"This temple is one of the greatest gifts that the Hindu community has given to our country. It is brought to life by the amazing community spirit that inhabits it. You are giving back to our society through the great charitable work that you do. London and the UK are lucky to have you.
"There can be no place for racism or anti-India sentiment of any kind in this country.”
In the meantime, Patel reiterated the party's commitment to introduce a new Australian-style points-based immigration procedure for a "fairer" visa system for migrants from all over the world, including India.
"The vote to leave the EU was a vote to take back control of our borders, and that is exactly what a Conservative-majority government will do by getting Brexit done and ending freedom of movement. Immigration will finally be subject to democratic control.”
