Afghan situation, defence ties high on David Cameron's visit agenda

India and the UK will discuss issues ranging from the situation in Afghanistan to finding ways to bolster bilateral ties during British prime minister David Cameron's two-day visit from tomorrow.

As his visit coincides with the revelation that Pakistan's ISI backed the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan and anti-India activities, Cameron's meetings with prime minister Manmohan Singh is expected to be dominated by India's concern over the process of the reconciliation of the Taliban in the war-torn country.

An online whistle-blower's leak of around 91,000 US military documents yesterday revealed how Pakistan's spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) backed the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan and its operations against India.

During his trip, the British prime minister is also expected to witness the signing of the 700 million pound deal for 57 Hawk jets, with sources indicating that the deal was "close to fruition".

Asserting that "this is a visit of unique scale and ambition", British high commissioner Sir Richard Stagg told reporters that the aim was to start the process of building an even closer and more productive relationship between the UK and India, "... one that is for the long-term, focused on addressing the strategic challenges of global security, sustained economic growth, and climate change, to mutual benefit".

"The objective is to inject a new energy, a new lease of life into a relationship that the UK has not made as much of in the past as it might have. The success of this visit will really be judged when we look back in 12-24 months time and see what is different," he said while referring to a feeling among ministers in his country.

The fact that India is the first country Cameron will visit for a bilateral visit, apart from his compulsory visits to EU countries as also the US and Afghanistan, indicates the importance the UK attaches to its relations with this country, the sources said.

On the position of the two countries on Afghanistan-Pakistan, Stagg said "There is no huge disconnect between the UK and India over Afghanistan-Pakistan. We have the same objective - to avoid a return to the pre-2001 situation, with the Taliban harbouring terrorist extremists bent on attacking us.

"This issue for discussion between the UK and Indian ministers will be how best to achieve an outcome that sees an Afghan-led process that allows the international community to play a smaller role over time in providing security", they said.

According to the sources, the issue will also figure in the meeting between British foreign secretary William Hague and his Indian counterpart SM Krishna tomorrow.

Singh and Cameron will hold talks on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues, besides focusing on giving a fresh impetus to trade and investment between the two countries.

Sources have also indicated that there was a possibility of the finalisation of some civil nuclear research projects after the meeting between the two leaders, who will also look at enhanced collaboration in education and technologies between the two countries.

Regional issues would include the AF-Pak situation and the reforms of the international financial institutions.

India was also expected to raise the issue of the British government's cap on non-EU immigration of skilled labour, which could come in the way of ambitions to energise business ties.

However, Stagg ruled out that the issue could hinder the relationship.

"A visa system will never be much-loved. That is not its fate. But I am not hearing that it hinders our relationship. We issued some 50,000 visas to Indian students last year. The UK welcomes foreign students and will continue to do so," he said.

The British prime minister's visit also coincides with the trip of the chairman, State Peace & Development Council of Myanmar, General Than Shwe, who does not share a cordial relationship with the Western countries.

Reacting to the position of India and the UK on the situation in Myanmar, Stagg said "We agree on the end-point, but have different views on how to get there. Absolute agreement is unlikely in the course of this visit, but it is a mark of a strong relationship that allows disagreement on some issues without causing the whole boat to tip over."

In a visit aimed at forging a special relationship with India, which Britain sees as a rising global power, Cameron would be accompanied by a delegation comprising his cabinet colleagues, CEOs of leading business houses, vice-chancellors of reputed universities, other dignitaries and senior officials.

On India's expectations from the visit, the British envoy said "I have the general sense from talking to contacts in Delhi and across India that the UK-India relationship was underachieved and that we can do better."

Apart from the delegation-level talks with the Indian prime minister, Cameron will call on the president and the vice-president, according to an official release.

Besides, foreign secretary Hague, senior ministers accompanying Cameron include chancellor of the exchequer, George Osborne, secretary of state for business, innovation and skills, Vincent Cable, and secretary of state for culture, media and sport, Jeremy Hunt. National security adviser Peter Ricketts is also a part of the delegation.