Queen for 8216;enhanced8217; ties with India

Outlining the new government8217;s priorities,Queen Elizabeth II,sporting 2,000 diamonds in her crown told the Parliament that the new coalition government8217;s priority will to be to reduce Britain8217;s deficit and restore growth to the struggling economy.

The mention about enhancing ties with India in the Queen8217;s Speech reiterated the commitment in the coalition agreement to forge a 8220;new special relationship8221; with India.

Amidst royal pageantry and pomp,the Queen set out the new government8217;s legislative plans. But for the British Monarch it was for the first time since the World War II that she outlined plans of a coalition government,thrown up by the country8217;s recent fractured mandate.

She also came out with new government8217;s major plans to reform schools,police,welfare and on making the voting system proportional,a major demand from the coalition partner Lib-Dem.

The new government has also axed Labour8217;s proposals for ID cards,going in for next generation biometric passports. Cutting the budget deficit and restoring growth would be the new government8217;s 8220;first priority8221;.

The new government has drawn up an 18-month programme that includes steps to reduce Britain8217;s record 163-billion-pound budget deficit.

The Queen8217;s speech confirmed that the new government will introduce fixed five-year parliamentary sessions,hold a referendum on making the voting system more proportional and change the House of Lords from an appointed to an elected chamber. But no date was indicated for the referendum on the voting system.

8220;My government will propose parliamentary and political reforms to restore trust in democratic institutions and re-balance the relationship between the citizen and the state,the Queen said.

Britain8217;s government will also introduce legislation that will ensure that public must be consulted on any future transfer of national powers to the European Union.

It is the 56th time that the Queen has opened a new session of Parliament during her reign and the first time that she has outlined a Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition programme for government.

Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg walked together from 10 Downing Street to the Commons,ignoring security fears to tread the streets with the public.

Prime Minister8217;s pregnant wife,Samantha was in the gallery above the House of Lords with the Peers. The Queen also announced majors to part privatise the Royal Mail.

There were few surprises in the 22 new bills and one draft bill introduced in the new House,which include a complex and controversial bill to cover parliamentary reform,a subject on which all parties converge that action is needed after last year8217;s expenses scandal.

Each session of Parliament begins with this royal address and covers the following year.

Usually,the Queen8217;s Speech takes place in November,but every time there is a general election,Parliament is dissolved and the Queen8217;s Speech takes place shortly after the government comes to power.