Issues of terrorism, Pakistan turmoil high on British PMs agenda

Issues of terrorism and turmoil in Pakistan will be high on the agenda of the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown during his visit to India, which begins on Sunday.

New Delhi, Jan 18 : Issues of terrorism and turmoil in Pakistan will be high on the agenda of the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown during his visit to India, which begins on Sunday.

This is in addition to bilateral talks focusing on ways to enhance trade and investment, and cooperation in the fields of science, technology and education.

"Both the countries are keen to work together to combat terrorism," British High Commissioner to India, Richard Stagg, told reporters here today at an interaction ahead of Brown's visit.

Stagg also offered to share with India his country's experience in handling the situations like bomb blasts, which would be helpful in "managing big sporting events" which faced the risk of terrorism.

New Delhi is going to host Commonwealth Games in 2010.

During his visit, Brown will be discussing with his Indian counterpart Dr. Manmohan Singh the issues relating to the current turmoil in Pakistan "on high priority," said Stagg, adding that the discussions would focus on restoring peace at earliest in that country.

On defence deals, Stagg said Indian Government is directly contacting the companies in the United Kingdom.

He said that during the talks, discussions will also be held on matters relating to bilateral business prospects.

He noted that lots of Britons are coming to India for medical treatment, and added that already two of the biggest insurance companies of UK are in India.

On the issue of Myanmar, he said: "We believe present political situation in Myanmar is unstable. There is a great need of international pressure on Burmese Government to change the regime."

Britain has expressed concerns on the issue of global warming. According to sources at 10, Downing Street (the British Prime Minister's official residence), Brown will use his trip to convince the Indian leaderships to sign a post-Kyoto Protocol (on climate change) effective from 2012.

Stagg said: "Developed countries have already made big mistakes to harm the climate. Now the developing countries should not repeat the same mistakes like pollution."

Brown left London, yesterday, on official visits to China and India. He will be arriving in India on Sunday.

Broadly, the visit of Gordon Brown will seek to further the initiatives taken to develop partnership between Britain and India activated during the Premiership of his predecessor Tony Blair.

In Delhi, he will have wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He will also call on President Pratibha Patil, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and other leaders.

ANI