Britain's friendship with India vitally important: Cameron

After spending several minutes inside the Mandir, the couple entered the main prayer hall where they performed the aarti lights ritual in front of the 'Annakut', the wall of food.

Speaking to over 2,000 people in the hall, and to another 2,000 via screens in the rest of the temple, the Prime Minister expressed his and his wife's delight at being at the temple.

Praising the British-Indian community, Cameron said: "I see what the British-Indian community has given to our country. The entrepreneurs who have enriched us, the artists who've inspired us, the sportsmen who have entertained us, doctors who have helped us and, of course the fantastic cooks who today have so admirably fed us. Your contribution throughout this country shines out."