Britain's Cameron on India visit to boost trade, business ties

Jul 28, 2010, 9:39 GMT

New Delhi - British Prime Minister David Cameron Wednesday began a two-day visit to India aimed at boosting trade and business ties that would help Britain in its economic recovery.

Cameron is accompanied by several senior ministers and a business delegation.

He was scheduled to visit the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in Bangalore, which manufactures advanced trainer jets under licence from the British defence group BAE Systems.

Cameron also delivered a lecture at the headquarters of leading Indian information technology company Infosys.

Business Secretary Vince Cable announced in Bangalore Wednesday that Britain would permit exports of civil nuclear technology and expertise to India for the first time.

The sales had traditionally been opposed by the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defence because India is not a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Cameron was expected to meet with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other leaders in Delhi Thursday.

Besides trade and investment, regional security relating to Afghanistan, restrictions on immigration to Britain and curbs on student visas are likely to come up during discussions.

In an article in the Hindu newspaper published Thursday, Cameron said his government regarded India as a key partner to boost economic investment and activity as well as trade.

Making a case for 'a stronger, wider and deeper relationship' with India, Cameron wrote, 'I know that Britain cannot rely on sentiment and shared history for a place in India's future.

'Your country has the whole world beating a path to its door. But I believe Britain should be India's partner of choice in the years ahead. Starting this week, that is what we are determined to deliver,' Cameron said.

Cameron's 90-member delegation includes British Foreign Secretary William Hague and Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osbourne besides the heads of Barclays, Vodafone and the English Premier League.