The UK PM visited the Swaminarayan Mandir in London, with partner Carrie Symonds, to woo Indian diaspora votes ahead of Thursday’s General Election

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has made a pledge to partner with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his mission to build a new India, as he and his partner Carrie Symonds visited a famous Hindu temple here to woo Indian diaspora votes ahead of Thursday’s General Election.

Dressed in a bright pink silk sari, 31-year-old conservationist Ms. Symonds made her first official campaign tour on Saturday with 55-year-old Mr. Johnson at one of the UK’s most famous temples, Swaminarayan Mandir, in Neasden, north-west London.

Prime Minister Johnson vowed to partner with his Indian counterpart Prime Minister Modi on his mission to build a new India.

“I know Prime Minister Modi is building a new India. And, we in the UK government will support him fully in his endeavour,” said Mr. Johnson, whose ruling Conservative Party is currently leading in opinion polls over the Opposition Labour Party.

In an indirect reference to Labour’s perceived anti-India stance over the issue of Kashmir, he noted: “There can be no place for racism or anti-India sentiment of any kind in this country.”

“British Indians have played a vital role in helping the Conservatives win elections in the past. When I told Narendrabhai [Modi] this, he just laughed and said Indians are always on the winning side,” said a tilak and garland sporting Mr. Johnson.

It was an honour to have Rt Hon. Prime Minister @BorisJohnson MP and Home Secretary Priti Patel @patel4witham on the auspicious occasion of His Holiness #PramukhSwami Maharaj’s 98th birthday celebrations at #NeasdenTemple this evening. #psm98 pic.twitter.com/3nFdljIVca — Neasden Temple (@NeasdenTemple) December 7, 2019

In reference to the temple, he 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“.

The event, also attended by UK home secretary Priti Patel dressed in a sari, marked celebrations for what would have been the 98th birthday of guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the president of the Swaminarayan Sanstha.

She 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,” Ms. Patel said.

In a letter to the nation on Sunday, Mr. Johnson says that the new immigration system would allow them to make it easier for the brightest talent from around the world to come to the UK.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson shows a photograph on a supporter's phone of them posing for a picture at a much earlier time at the Conservative Campaign Headquarters Call Centre in central London, Britain, December 8, 2019. | Photo Credit: Reuters

“But it will put in place tough new checks to ensure that lower skilled migrants only enter the UK if there is a specific shortage of workers and that their stay will only be temporary. Everyone who comes to the UK will contribute to our NHS from day one - that is only fair,” he writes.