July 18, 2007	Wednesday	Rajab 02, 1428

LONDON, July 17: London Mayor Ken Livingstone blamed India's past economic problems on the “long, dark night of imperialism” on Tuesday as he launched a major festival to strengthen ties with the now booming country.

Livingstone was joined by Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty as he kicked off “India Now,” a three-month extravaganza of 1,500 events spanning theatre, dance, music, film and food.

The capital's Indian summer aims to spotlight economic and cultural ties with India at a time when Livingstone is trying to attract business from thriving economies across Asia.—AFP