Britain ends 10-year boycott of Indian politician Narendra Modi "Better late than never," Mr Modi, a leading figure in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who is credited with drawing investment to business-friendly Gujarat, wrote on Twitter after the announcement. This is a significant announcement from the UK. It recognises the progress Gujarat has made in the past 11 years under the leadership of Modi," added his official blog. Most European Union countries were also initially part of the boycott, though some have since resumed ties with the Gujarati government given the state's economic importance and Mr Modi's rising political fortunes. Attention is now likely to turn to the stance of France and Germany, as well as the United States which has refused to grant him a visa since 2005. Britain's move to resume links came less than two months after a court sentenced a former member of Mr Modi's government to 28 years in jail for her role in instigating the 2002 riots. The August 31 sentencing of Maya Kodnani, who served as minister from 2007-2009, was seen as a setback for Mr Modi, who has always denied any personal involvement in the riots and who has been cleared by inquiries. Despite the scars of the sectarian violence, Gujarat in recent years has lured foreign firms with reliable power supply, good infrastructure by Indian standards, and the availability of educated but cheap labour. The three British nationals were burnt to death in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat along with their Indian driver.