19 Feb 2013

Is Cameron’s trip to India an internet dating disaster?

David Cameron’s toasting the Queen’s 60 years on the throne at a 1000-strong reception thrown by the British High Commissioner.

The trappings and ties of a former colonial power make it a bigger and more glamorous “do” than most other Delhi-based diplomats could throw.

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David Cameron actually broke with convention at the High Commissioner’s drinks talking about the weekly audience with The Queen – currently acted out by Helen Mirren on the London stage.

Mr Cameron said that quite often when he turns up at Buckingham Palace, The Queen “looks at me and says: good evening, Prime Minister – you’re still alive.” He said “it always lifts my spirits.”

But it’s a moot point whether Britain’s historical ties with India work across the board for or against us. David Cameron said in an interview with me just now that it would only have a negative impact if Britain was looking backwards, not putting energy into its relationship with India.

The Indian prime minister chose to raise a couple of thorny topics in the no-questions-allowed press conference with David Cameron this afternoon: the Westland bribery case (running very hot on India’s highly competitive news channels) and India’s complaints about UK visas.

UK sources dismissed that as Premier Singh playing to his domestic audience but it wasn’t exactly red carpet stuff.

I asked David Cameron if him coming to India seeking a serious relationship wasn’t turning into one of those internet dating disasters where one person’s looking for commitment and the other is looking for something altogether more promiscuous.

You can see his answer above.

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