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Blair keen on stronger Indo-British ties

British Prime Minister Tony Blair is keen on opening an intense new chapter with India notwithstanding existing differences on the signing of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and other nuclear-related issues, British High Commissioner Sir Rob Young said today.

In fulfilment of this personal commitment, Blair is sending his personal envoy Peter Hain to India to have wide-ranging discussions on terrorism, trade and the stepping up of British investments in India, Young told a press conference in New Delhi.

India and Britain share a common perception on the recent political developments in Pakistan. This was amply demonstrated at the Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting currently underway in Durban.

Hain will be arriving in the capital on November 18 after brief stopovers in Bombay and Bangalore. In the capital, he will hold talks with the Minister of State for External Affairs Ajit Panja. He will have separate meetings with Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani and leader of the Opposition Sonia Gandhi.

The British government through its Department for International Development has so far contributed over Rs 70 million to cyclone relief in Orissa, through donations to the non-government organisations like Save the Children Fund, Christian Aid and CARE.

In Bangalore, Hain will announce a new Indo-British partnership in the field of information technology and e-commerce called Get Connected as well as a new scholarship programme for young Indian IT professionals to visit the United Kingdom under the British government's Chevening Scholarship Scheme.

UNI

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