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Watch: Britain opens CHOGM as PM Theresa May warns of 'global challenges'

Watch: Britain opens CHOGM as PM Theresa May warns of 'global challenges'

Heads of Commonwealth countries officially welcomed to London

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The meeting is being attended by heads of 53 Commonwealth countries including Prime Minister Modi

Speaking at the first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting(CHOGM), British PM Theresa May today spoke of "global challenges" which included climate change and cyber attacks.

Earlier in the day, Britain's queen Elizabeth II at the Buckingham Palace said: "I will decide that one day the Prince of Wales should carry on the important work started by my father in 1949 by continuing to treasure and reinvigorate our associations and activities."

The meeting is being attended by heads of 53 Commonwealth countries including Prime Minister Modi is widely seen as an attempt by Britain and its former colonies to reconnect with each other to develop trade and deepen diplomatic and defenceties.

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"It is my sincere wish that the Commonwealth will continue to offer stability and continuity for future generations," queen Elizabeth II said.

The meeting is taking place in London for the first time in 20 years. India had earlier skipped three CHOGM meetings, however, this time PM Modi decided to attend it himself in order to broaden India's strategic ties with the rest of the Commonwealth countries which is one of the biggest global groupings in the world.

Prince Charles, 69, made an informal pitch for the role in his remarks at the event in Buckingham Palace: "For my part, the Commonwealth has been a fundamental feature of my life for as long as I can remember."