A few Muslim leaders on Sunday greeted Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival in London on a week-long visit to Britain and Switzerland to woo foreign investment.

"We gladly extend a warm welcome to Modi, the democratically elected representative of the people of
Gujarat," said prominent businessman Zafar Sareshwalla.

Leading businessman and spokesman for the Overseas Friends of BJP, Anil Pota, said: "I am confident that Modi's visit to the UK will bring our two countries closer."

The chief minister was accorded a warm welcome by a 300-strong crowd at the St James Park Hotel in central London on his arrival on Sunday morning.

During his discussions with the non-resident Indians here, Modi is expected to invite prospective investors to a global investors' meeting to be held in Gujarat from August 28 to 30.

He will leave for Zurich on August 21.

Gujarat is one of the top five industrialised states in India, attracting multinationals such as Japan's Sumitomo Corp, General Motors and Siemens to set up assembly bases in the state.
 
However, communal riots last year and a devastating earthquake in January 2001 severely affected the state's economy.

A number of organisations have announced their decision to hold protests at Modi's public rally in London for his failure in providing protection to the minority community in the riots.