Britain's PM Theresa May leaves Delhi airport on Sunday. ReutersNew Delhi: British prime minister Theresa May arrived in the national capital late on Sunday for her first bilateral trip outside of the European Union since June's Brexit vote.
May will hold bilateral talks with prime minister Narendra Modi on Monday.
What to expect in Modi-May meet | Story in points
May has said she plans to use the three-day visit to try to reduce barriers to trade with India and pave the way for a post-Brexit free-trade deal, but with the Indian government keen to secure more access to Britain for students and skilled workers, visa numbers are likely to be a sticking point in any talks.
Immigration was central to the debate ahead of Britain's June 23 vote to leave the EU, and May has vowed to stick to a pledge made by her predecessor David Cameron to bring annual net migration below 100,000 from more than three times that.
"The relationships between our two countries are strong, and the Indian diaspora plays a vital role in our national life," May said. "In my talks with prime minister Narendra Modi I want to build on our relationship for the benefit of both our countries, generating jobs and wealth and maintaining cooperation on defense and security."
"The UK and India are natural partners - the world's oldest democracy and the world's largest democracy - and together I believe we can achieve great things - delivering jobs and skills, developing new technologies and improving our cities, tackling terrorism and climate change.
"This is a partnership about our shared security and shared prosperity. It is a partnership of potential. And on this visit I intend to harness that potential, rebooting an age-old relationship in this age of opportunity and with that helping to build a better Britain," she added.
Along with Modi, the British PM will inaugurate the first Indo-UK tech summit at Taj Palace Hotel here.
Both PMs will also launch an India-UK Urban Partnership on smart cities and urban development which could be unlock new business worth up to 2 billion pounds to British business over the next five years.
