London is open to talent, says its Mayor

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, who is touring Mumbai as part of his two-nation tour after Brexit, said London is open to talent, people and partnership.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel on Sunday, Khan said, "I am proud and pleased to be here. London is open to talent, people and partnership."

He said he will meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday to interact on culture, films, air quality and climate change among other things. He is also expected to meet business leaders and Bollywood star.

Saying that UK was the second biggest investment destination for India after the US, he said he was pushing his government to free up certain restrictions.

"London is the student capital of the world. There are top universities here. It is a big mistake to not give students a post-study visa. I am lobbying for it," said Khan.

Forty per cent of London's population is made up of minorities.

When asked about investments in light of the Vijay Mallya case, Khan said, "Some oligarchs launder their dirty money. Our country is making an effort to make investments more transparent. We are going to pass orders on this."

On building cultural cities, Khan said, "Culture is the DNA of great cities," and added that they are looking to have that to besides enhancing participation in joint projects like movies that are "par excellence". On housing, which is also a concern for London, Khan said that they will be building taller buildings close to stations, where factories once stood. Reclamation, he said, was not part of the draft.