Narenda Modi, once the subject of a visa ban by the UK, is set to visit Britain, after accepting an invitation from British Prime Minister David Cameron, who called the BJP leader to congratulate him on his victory on Friday.

“Both leaders agreed on the importance of the UK-India relationship and agreed to work together to strengthen it in the months ahead,” a spokesperson for No 10 said.

Politicians of both leading parties expressed their hopes for deepening the relationship between the two countries. “The UK hast strong ties with India and the British government looks forward to working with the new Indian government to build on this relationship and deliver security, growth and prosperity for both our nations,” said British Foreign Secretary William Hague.

Douglas Alexander, the Labour Shadow Foreign Secretary also congratulated the BJP and Modi. “Our links with the world’s largest democracy will continue to be vital to the UK’s interest,” he said.

In late 2012 the Conservative-led coalition government overturned a 10-year visa ban on Modi visiting the UK, introduced by the former Labour government, with both Conservative and Labour groups inviting him to events in the country. He is yet to visit.

Patricia Hewitt, the chair of the UK India Business Council, also welcomed the results. “The improvements in the business environment that will follow should prompt those British businesses who have been hesitating about entering the Indian market to put aside their doubts and seize the Indian opportunity with both hands.”

Simon Moore of the industry body the Confederation of British Industry urged the new Prime Minister to make the investment climate “as welcoming as possible.”

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