New Delhi, Oct. 11: Britain’s foreign office minister Hugo Swire asked his country’s high commissioner here to visit Gujarat and call on chief minister Narendra Modi.

The decision, announced in a release that was posted on an official website, signals a huge thaw in the UK-Modi freeze that set in shortly after the 2002 riots in Gujarat. Among those killed by the mobs were two British nationals of Gujarati origin, according to Dionne Bunshaw in her book, “Scarred: Experiments with Violence in Gujarat”.

Swire, the minister for India in the foreign office, stated: “I have asked the British high commissioner in New Delhi to visit Gujarat and meet the chief minister and other senior officers in the state. This will allow us to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest and to explore opportunities for closer co-operation, in line with the British Government’s state objective of improving bilateral relations with India.”

He voiced Britain’s continuing concern to secure justice for the families of the deceased British nationals. “The UK has a broad range of interests in Gujarat. We want to support human rights and good governance in the state,” he stressed.

Without elaborating what Britain’s other “interests” were, the minister said he felt “active engagement” (with Gujarat) would further them. “We also want to provide the best possible support for British nationals who live in, work in or visit Gujarat; and to the many Gujaratis who now make up one of the most successful and dynamic communities in the UK,” Swire said.

Sources emphasised that Britain’s policy shift towards Modi was not driven by political perceptions. They insisted the considerations were “trade and business” and Gujarat, being a major economic hub, had to be placed on the country’s roadmap to give its economy a fillip.

The sources said Britain was “most likely” to open trade offices in Ahmedabad, Chandigarh and Bangalore to enlarge its business potential in India.

Expectedly, Modi was over the moon and made it a point to specially mention the Indian diaspora in his tweets after Swire’s love note. “Getting many messages of pride and joy from Indian disapora, especially Gujaratis in London and all over the world. Thanks for your affection.”

But his comment on the British government was a trifle snarky: “Der aaye durasta aaye (better lare than never)! I welcome the UK government’s step for active engagement and strengthening relations with Gujarat. God is Great.”

Sources said the high commissioner would visit on a “mutually agreed” date that would factor in Modi’s preoccupation with the state elections. Gujarat government sources were non-committal, saying “these days” the chief minister only thought of how he could return with a bigger majority.