He conceded that the February 2002 Gujarat riots - in which 1, 044 people, the vast majority of them Muslims, were officially listed as killed - were "unfortunate".

BBC: Profile: Nitin Gadkari

Communal riots happen in alot of countries so I dont think India should be singled out for that although the muslims did start the Gujarat riots in essense.

BBC: Is India the new China?

The UK has had no official contact with him since the communal riots in Gujarat because of his alleged complicity in the violence against Muslims, which saw hundreds killed by Hindu nationalists.

BBC: Narendra Modi: UK high commissioner meets Gujarat chief