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| India, UK to cooperate over terrorism, climate change | | |
New Delhi, November 2
India and Britain on Thursday took their multifaceted ties to a new level by stepping up cooperation in the crucial areas of counter-terrorism and climate change.
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his British counterpart Margaret Beckett held "constructive discussions" on a wide range of bilateral and global issues, including counter-terrorism, climate change and enhancement of the already robust economic ties between the two countries.
"Bilateral relationship has never been better. Our relationship has been underpinned by strong business ties," Beckett, who is currently on a six-day visit to India, told reporters at a joint press interaction with Mukherjee.
This is Beckett's first visit to India and her first to Asia after becoming the first woman foreign minister of the UK following a cabinet reshuffle in May this year.
It is also her longest overseas trip as foreign minister, a measure of India's importance in British foreign policy. Before leaving London, Beckett said relations between the countries had never been better.
Beckett will call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and meet Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Home Minister Shivraj Patil later in the day.
Describing India and Britain as "natural partners," she stressed on new steps taken by the two countries in sharing information to avert terrorist attacks on mass transit system.
Stressing on "historical strong relations" between India and Britain, Mukherjee said as both countries were "victims of terrorism," they would further enhance their ongoing cooperation in countering terrorism - "the biggest menace to world peace in post Cold War world".
Hailing India as "an important and powerful country with an emerging economy," Beckett underlined the need to confront the global challenge of climate change and sought more informal dialogue with India on this issue.
"It's for us to take this initiative forward. It's a problem the world community needs to address together," said Beckett, while alluding to a move to introduce climate legislation in Britain following the Stern Review report.
The Stern Review sets out the economic case for action on climate change, and concludes that the cost of inaction will be far higher than tackling climate change now.
"Climate change is one of our top priorities. There is space for more informal dialogue with India on the issue," said Beckett as she outlined a plan to enhance cooperation with India in the development of clean coal technologies.
"We certainly encourage British companies to invest in India," Beckett said in response to a question on whether Britain plans to step up investment in India's infrastructure sector.
India is the second largest foreign investor in Britain. Britain attracts about 60 per cent of Indian investments to Europe.
India's foreign direct investment (FDI) in Britain is more than that of Britain's in India and has exceeded $1 billion. Beckett is also scheduled to visit Mumbai and Hyderabad.
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