Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi [Images] on Thursday night called off his visit to the United Kingdom.

He was to pay a three-day visit to the UK from Friday.

The decision came following apprehensions that his security could be under threat.

• Modi's passport troubles

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil telephoned him at 2230 IST and persuaded him not to leave for London [Images]. They told him that the government has information that he will face security risk during his visit.

Modi was to inaugurate the 'Vibrant Gujarat' function at the Royal Albert Hall in London in a bid to attract foreign investment to the state. However, several organisations, including the South Asia Solidarity Group and AWAAZ had announced their decision to organise protests outside the hall.

Last Friday, Modi could not make his proposed visit to the US after Washington revoked his tourist visa and denied him diplomatic visa apparently because of the post-Godhra riots in Gujarat in 2002.

The Centre's request to the US to reconsider its decision to deny him visa was rejected.