NEW DELHI: The five-day visit to India by the British Prime Minister, John Major, from January 23 is expected to strengthen €economic and other relations with the United Kingdom. The official program of Major, Who will be the chief guest at this year’s Republic Day celebrations, begins on January 25 when he will call on the President and the Vice-president and have bilateral talks with the Prime Minister Narasimha Rao. He will also have discussions with the ministers for external affairs, home and finance.

A revised double taxation avoidance agreement will be signed by officials in the presence of the two prime ministers.

Major, who will be visiting India for the first time, will be accompanied by a high level business delegation which will be briefed by senior Officials on the opportunities provided by the economic reforms program, The British businessmen will also meet their Indian counterparts, besides attending a meeting at which both prime ministers will be present Mr.Major will visit a British assisted slum development project at Indore on June 27 and then proceed to Bombay where he will, among other things, address the business community and call on the Maharashtra governor and former Indian high commissioner in London, P.C. Alexander.

The visit is taking place at a time when Indo-UK use have acquired a new dimension and are marked by increasing cooperation in ¢economic and other spheres. A number of high level visits to and from the UK have taken place since January last year, contributing to greater understanding between the two countries on various issues.

The most striking example of this rapport is the cooperation in combating terrorism. The extradition treaty and confiscation agreement signed in this regard and due to be ratified by both countries shortly clearly reflects Britain’s determination to deal firmly with anti-India terrorists operating from its soil.

The British home office has just rejected an appeal by Karamjit Singh Chahal against its decision to deport him to India on the basis of his “public history of violent involvement in Sikh terrorism.”

Britain has also shown understanding of the government’s position on Ayodhya. On Dec.6 last, it issued a statement condemning “those responsible for provoking violence” and extending support to the Prime Minister’s appeal for peace and restraint. On Kashmir, it has clearly asked Pakistan to ensure that there is no external support Lo terrorists.

Major’s visit is expected to give a fillip to economic cooperation, especially in areas such as investment, transfer of technology, joint ventures, defense and trade especially in view of the liberalization policy and the current recession in the UK. British companies are reported to be looking towards countries like India for collaboration in key sectors like power, telecommunications, food processing, information technology and transpiration. Tie-ups with British firms will enable Indian companies (o have an access to the Single European Market

 

The importance being attached to this aspect is evident from the composition of the delegation accompanying Major. Its members represent leading companies like Rolls Royce, Cadbury Schweppes, GEC Alsthom, British Aerospace, Cable and Wireless, ICI, Sun life Insurance and British Gas. The British are particularly interested in selling the Hawk advanced jet trainer, which is facing competition from the French Alpha jet to India.

There is considerable pc for stepping up bilateral partner of India; Export to Britian has shot up from Rs1.60 crore in 198990 to Rs 281 amounted to over Rs 117 c making the UK the fourth investor in this country.

The UK is the third largest bilateral donor of assistance to while India is the largest recipient of British aid Bilateral aid pledged for 199293 amounts to $351. million.

 

Article extracted from this publication >>  January 29, 1993