Cameron is spot on with bindi

Last updated at 17:52 04 September 2006


Locals clearly think David Cameron is spot on as he opens a new JCB factory in India - sporting a traditional bindi on his forehead.

The Conservative leader was painted with the bindi - which wards off bad luck - and given a flower garland when he arrived at the site in Pune.

Read Cameron's blog from India

In a speech to officially open the factory, he said India and Britain are connected with 'family links' and that he hoped they would grow even closer.

He said: "The links between our two economies are deep. Our two countries are related - family ties connect us. Just as we have cousins across the Atlantic, so we have cousins here in India.

"This new JCB plant at Pune demonstrates the changes taking place not just in India, but also in the global economy. It also highlights the benefits of a new relationship between India and Britain.

"The centre of gravity in the world is shifting south and east and I believe that India and Britain would benefit from an even closer relationship in the 21st Century."

The four-day trip to India follows hot on the heels of the Conservative leader's visit to South Africa, where he met Nelson Mandela.

Over the past few months he has also highlighted global warming concerns in Norway, and chatted to British troops in Afghanistan.

The leadership is widely thought to be trying to give itself a more statesman-like air after criticism that the party was not speaking out enough on world issues.

Labour have accused Mr Cameron of only opening the £15M JCB factory, located just east of Mumbai, to drum up funding for the party.

The Bamford family, who own the firm, have historically been major donors to the Conservatives.

During the trip Mr Cameron will also be making a keynote speech on the global economy, visiting IT and social projects, and viewing the Ghandi Memorial.

Cameron is creating a video diary and also writing a blog about his visit to India.

It begins with his departure from Heathrow.

He says: "I'm going to India and I've just met Suggs. Very exciting. He's put on a bit of weight actually."

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