PM Modi, UK PM Boris Johnson

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to UK PM Boris Johnson over phone and raised the issue of violence against Indians participating in Independence Day celebrations outside Indian mission in London .

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, Modi drew Johnson's attention to the challenges posed by vested interests pursuing their motivated agenda, including by violent means.

The British PM regretted the incident and assured that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure safety and security of the high commission, its personnel and visitors.

In his conversation, PM Modi also pointed out that terrorism had plagued all parts of the world, including India and Europe and stressed the importance of effective steps to ward off the threats posed by radicalisation, violence and intolerance, particularly in the context of the expanding footprint of terrorist organisations such as ISIS .

The Prime Minister congratulated Mr Johnson on his election to the high office and expressed his readiness to work with him for strengthening the strategic partnership between India and the United Kingdom.

Prime Minister Johnson also warmly congratulated PM Modi on the latter’s emphatic electoral victory for the second term in his office.

Both leaders agreed that as the world’s pre-eminent democracies, the two countries have much to contribute together to effectively addressing the many challenges faced by the world today.

(With inputs from agencies)

