(File photo)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday pitched for his pet "Make in India" initiative to bolster trade ties with Britain as he welcomed his British counterpart Theresa May in the national capital, hailing the UK as a "great friend of India".

"We expect Make In India to be an important aspect of the India-UK bilateral engagement. It is vital that India and the UK, two countries linked by history, work together to define the knowledge economy of the 21st century," Modi said.

The Prime Minister, who was speaking at the India-UK Tech Summit in the national capital, said that India and the UK can leverage technological prowess to create new opportunities, and sought British investments in defense, manufacturing and aerospace sectors.

"Together, we can create a vibrant and thriving environment for new commercial applications with breakthrough technologies," Modi said said at the event, also attended by visiting British Prime Minister Theresa May.

On her part, May said that India and the UK share a "special bond", and promised easier travel for Indians to the UK, saying that "Britain would offer expedited clearance at the UK borders under a Registered Traveler Scheme to business travellers from India".

Stating that it's vital to identify ways to deepen the trade relationship between the two countries before the UK leaves the European Union, the British Prime Minister said: "More investment and fewer barriers to trade between Britain and India would boost prosperity."

May arrived in Delhi late Sunday night on a three-day trade-focussed visit aimed at bolstering bilateral ties in the key areas of trade, investment, defence and security.