CHENNAI: Bharat Joshi, the new British deputy high commissioner to India, on Wednesday stressed that he believed that his country was right in attending the recently concluded Common Wealth Heads of Government Meet ( CHOGM) in Sri Lanka.

Addressing the media for the first time after taking charge as the new envoy, Joshi said, "Our Prime Minister David Cameron has demonstrated our human rights concerns by visiting the displaced Tamils in Jaffna. Cameron has even called on Sri Lanka to address the human rights issues and violations during the ethnic strife."

Joshi, the first Hindu and Gujarati diplomat in the British Foreign Service with roots in Gujarat, said his government had plans for a stronger, wider, deeper partnership in the region. He said the UK is keen on building on the momentum the two countries achieved in partnerships in education, research, business, technology and other sectors.

When asked about what he felt about the transition in his home state and his views on brand Narendra Modi , the diplomat quipped, "I am a proud Gujarati." (Source: The Times Of India)