The study is a 2 x 2 factorial randomised controlled trial that includes 11,140 adults with type 2 diabetes at elevated risk of vascular disease. Following 6 weeks on open label perindopril-indapamide combination, eligible individuals were randomised to continued perindopril-indapamide or matching placebo, and to an intensive gliclazide MR-based glucose control regimen (aiming for HbA1c of 6.5% or lower) or usual guidelines-based therapy. Primary outcomes are, first, the composite of non-fatal stroke, non-fatal myocardial infarction or cardiovascular death and, second, the composite of new or worsening nephropathy or diabetic eye disease. These primary outcomes will be analysed jointly and separately. The average duration of treatment and follow-up is 5.5 to 6 years. The study is being conducted in 214 centres in Australasia, Asia, Europe and North America.