London to host three-month India festival

Dubbed 'India Now', it will comprise several events across London dedicated to art, films, food, theatre, music and fashion.

Come July and London will turn into a mini India with a three-month festival that will showcase India's popular culture, arts and cuisine.

Dubbed 'India Now', the fest will comprise several events across London dedicated to Indian art, films, food, theatre, music and fashion.

The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, will launch the festival July 15. The theme of the event is "India and London - Partners in Globalisation", reported Asians in Media, an ethnic online magazine.

"India is not only one of the world's most important and rapidly growing economies, an emerging economic superpower, but it also has one of the world's most important cultures," Livingstone was quoted as saying.

"In 2007, we are aiming to strengthen London's relations with India, building on the significant contribution the Indian community - the largest minority national group in London - already makes to the economic, cultural and social success of the capital," he said.

Later this year, Livingstone is expected to visit both New Delhi and Mumbai with a delegation of representatives from London businesses, with plans to open mayoral offices in both cities.