British and Pakistan leaders in talks to smooth tension

Aug 6, 2010, 11:26 GMT

London - Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and British Prime Minister David Cameron held talks in Britain Friday aimed at smoothing relations following Cameron's criticism of Pakistani attitudes toward terrorism.

The two leaders met at at Chequers, Cameron's country residence outside London, a week after the British leader made his controversial remarks during a visit to India.

For the photographers, there were smiles and friendly handshakes at the start of the meeting, as the British government stressed the 'cordial nature' of personal relations between Zardari and Cameron.

But Zardari has promised to 'educate' Cameron about the complexities of Pakistan's struggle against militants after the British leader warned the country 'not to promote the export of terror.'

Cameron has stood by his remarks, which have soured relations, not least because he chose to make them in India, Pakistan's traditional rival.

However, Downing Street officials said the purpose of Friday's meeting was to look forward.

Security, education, trade and the war in Afghanistan were among the topics on the agenda, as well as further British aid for the victims of the devastating floods in Pakistan.

The talks would reaffirm the 'string links' between Britain and Pakistan, officials said. Britain wished to support a 'stable, secure, democratic and prosperous' Pakistan.

Meanwhile Zardari has come under sustained criticism in his own country, and also in Britain, for not cutting short his visit to return to Pakistan in view of the flooding disaster.