British Prime Minister Cameron vows to boost ties with India

Jul 29, 2010, 10:51 GMT

New Delhi - British Prime Minister David Cameron Thursday pledged to strengthen relations with India ahead of wide-ranging talks that were to focus on trade and security.

Cameron was was greeted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi.

'I have the expectation of building what is already a very strong partnership between Britain and India. And I think we can make it stronger and deeper,' Cameron said.

'We're going to be looking at all the aspects of the relationship from business and commerce and industry but also cultural exchanges. Looking forward to building very strong relations between our two countries but also our two peoples as well'.

The British leader began his two-day trip in the southern city of Bangalore Wednesday.

Cameron, who described the trip as his 'jobs mission,' called for increasing trade and business ties to help Britain's economic recovery.

A defence deal worth 799 million dollars to supply 57 trainer aircraft to India was announced Wednesday.

Cameron Thursday met President Pratibha Patil and participated in a business summit organized by India's industry chambers.

The meeting with Singh was scheduled for later on Thursday and was to be followed by the signing of agreements including an accord on cultural cooperation, Indian Foreign Ministry officials said.

Cameron has said he would discuss trade and investment, educational initiatives and cooperation on climate change with Singh.

Cameron's trip to India - a British colony before it gained independence in 1947 - is his first to an Asian country as prime minister.

London has described the Cameron's 90-member delegation of cabinet ministers and business heads as the largest to travel to India in recent memory.

Cameron's government is seeking foreign investment as the country moves slowly out of recession, saddled with Britain's highest-ever peacetime budget deficit.

He has said that he wanted to make Britain 'the partner of choice for India.'

Global security, particularly with regard to Afghanistan and Pakistan will be a key area of discussions. Britain's recently announced plans to limit immigration are likely to figure in the talks.