Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in London this week. It has been the first in 9 years and it gives hope for stronger trade relations between India and the UK post brexit. Modi’s bilateral visit to the UK, in which a range of issues - including immigration, technology cooperation and education will be discussed. The two meetings held by the UK Prime Minister Theresa May will be seen as part of the efforts by Britain to forge closer ties with India and its ability to secure lucrative post-Brexit trade deals.

 The Commonwealth Business Forum 

The Commonwealth Business Forum, which will bring together business leaders and political figures from across the Commonwealth, would explore ways of raising intra-Commonwealth trade from around $525 billion in 2015 to around $700 billion by 2020, alongside looking at some of the contemporary challenges and opportunities around technology, skills and protectionism.

 MoU on return of illegal immigrants

A memorandum of understanding on the return of illegal migrants to India will be formally signed. It was previously agreed upon and relating to an issue that Britain has repeatedly raised. However, it remains to be seen whether any moves will be made to respond to Indian concerns about Britain’s immigration regime - which India has repeatedly stressed, is key to the future relationship between both the countries.

Diaspora events and Ayurveda Research Centre 

With an Indian diaspora of around 1.4 million, Modi’s visit will attract a lot of attention. A number of rallies - both to protest and support Modi - are being planned during and ahead of the visit. He will also meet Prince Charles and the Queen and attend a diaspora event in London. Apart from the immigration memorandum, Modi also plans to discuss the setting up of an Ayurveda research Centre in the UK.