New Delhi, Oct 28: The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles will undertake a nine-day visit to India from today with major focus on development issues.
Prince Charles had last visited India in 1992. During his current visit, he will meet President A P J Abdul Kalam and a banquet will be hosted in his honour by Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.
The programme of his visit, taking place at the invitation of the Vice President, has been drawn up keeping in view Prince Charles's keen interest in India's history and in development issues, an External Affairs Ministry announcement here said.
His visit to India is "demonstrative of our warm and friendly relationship. Such high-level visits have strengthened and intensified our bonds of friendship," it said.
A British High Commission release said the visit is official and will include a number of public engagements to highlight work on conservation and restoration, youth entrepreneurship projects, sustainable development initiatives and charitable work.



Economically, UK is India's second largest trade partner after the USA and one of the largest foreign investors in India. Annual two-way trade in goods and services is on track to reach seven billion pounds in 2003.



Prince Charles will also visit Mumbai, Haryana and Rajasthan.


Bureau Report