Swraj Paul meets Jyoti Basu in West Bengal

Kolkata, Apr 11 (UNI) Non-resident Indian industrialist Lord Swraj Paul today met veteran Marxist Jyoti Basu at his Salt Lake residence.

Showering encomiums on the nonagenarian leader, Lord Paul described Mr Basu as an 'institution' and a trend setter of industrialisation in the country.

''Mr.Basu himself is an institution. He set the trend of industrialisation not only in West Bengal but also in India,'' he told mediapersons after coming out of a 20-minute meeting at the Indira Bhavan.

Lord Paul has been in the state for the past six days leading a four-member delegation of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, UK.

He observed that it was due to the policy of Mr Basu during his Chief Ministership that industry progressed in the state and investments were pouring.

''He is a great politician. He has his contribution also in world politics,'' he said.

Lord Paul, however, said he did not have any talks with Mr Basu on industrialisation. ''It was because of our old relation that I visited him and inquired about his health,'' he said.

Recalling their old acquaintance, Mr Basu said he had a longstanding friendship with Lord Paul.

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