The British Foreign Office has upgraded India and bracketed it along with Russia, Japan and China in London's list of global priorities.

The enhanced significance, as recorded in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's newly published international priorities document, is a welcome boost for the Bharatiya Janata Party even as it celebrates its victory in three states in the December 1 assembly elections.

The contents of the FCO document, named 'UK International Priorities: A Strategy for the FCO', is further evidence that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has raised India's status at the international level.

In the chapter entitled 'The UK in the international system', the document notes that the UK's most significant partnerships with other countries will be within the European Union and with the United States.

But it goes on to say, "Other global players will have important strategic influence, notably Russia, China, Japan and India.

"India will be an important democratic power in Asia, with increasing potential to exert global political and economic influence and with particular strength in leading growth sectors."

By contrast Pakistan is mentioned in passing as a potential serious flashpoint with India.

A quarter page sub-section, entitled 'Tackling new security threats', says, "Elements of the Taliban regime and Al Qaeda filtered into Pakistan after their bases in Afghanistan were destroyed. Both have links with extremist jihadi groups from Pakistan, dating from resistance to the Soviet occupation.

"We lobbied Pakistan to stop Taliban and Al Qaeda elements infiltrating into Pakistan. We are also working with the Pakistani authorities to prevent technology associated with Pakistan's nuclear programme spreading to others."